Joshua to Ngannou: ‘I break eye sockets, f***ing ruined rival’s career with an uppercut’

Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua brutally warned Francis Ngannou about the power he possesses and the damage it has caused.

The pair collide in a humongous heavyweight clash on March 8 in Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou comes into just his second boxing bout having dropped Tyson Fury on his debut in October.

He was controversially beaten on points as his stock rose sensationally overnight.

But AJ was quick to point out the destruction he has also caused the likes of Otto Wallin, Robert Helenius, and Dillian Whyte.

Joshua, 34, told Boxing News: “He has longer arms than me. He’s stocky and big.

 “But I think people underestimate me, they think they can just come and put pressure on me because I am not mentally all that or this.

"And as much as there is hype around Ngannou, he still has to come through me. He is looking at someone who knows how to fight.

“I am a power puncher myself. I break peoples’ eye sockets.

"I broke Wallin’s nose and eye socket, Helenius got sparked out, and I f***ing ruined Dillian Whyte’s career with an uppercut. The list goes on.

“He has to deal with me and that is what is going to make it a good fight.”

Ngannou, 37, earned himself another massive payday in the ring for the performance he put on against Fury, 35.

And now Joshua, 34, has the chance to one-up his great British rival by attempting to beat the MMA star more convincingly.

He said: “There is an element of that. It’s all about perception in boxing.

"It just changes the whole perception if I can go out there and have a good fight. ‘Oh, AJ’s the king!’ my fans will roar louder.

"But I’ve still got a massive training camp to complete, I’ve still got to get through the fight first!

"Let’s get there first before we start thinking ahead.”