ANTHONY JOSHUA has been backed to beat Francis Ngannou by the ex-UFC champion’s former sparring partner.
The humongous heavyweights collide on March 8 in Saudi Arabia in just Ngannou’s second boxing bout.
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He put his MMA career on hold last year and in October faced WBC world champion Tyson Fury.
And to prepare for the bout, he called on 6ft 9in British heavyweight Darren Sealy.
Sealy is now in camp with Oleksandr Usyk, again mimicking Fury, but he has tipped AJ to defeat former sparring partner Ngannou.
He told SunSport: “It’s a tricky one, both extremely powerful but I feel the last two, three fights, especially the last fight in December with Otto Wallin, AJ looked brilliant.
“Everything was firing on all cylinders and I do feel that AJ will be victorious on the night.
“I don’t know how in terms of round by round or decision but I do feel he will definitely get the better of Ngannou.”
Ngannou and Usyk – Fury’s last two opponents – both called on Sealy’s towering frame to prepare for the Gypsy King.
And if Joshua, 34, beats Ngannou and Fury defeats Usyk, the long-time rivals will be on course to finally stage their Battle of Britain.
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So again Sealy is willing to offer his hard-to-come-by services to AJ.
He said: “It’s a business and a sport and all boxers and athletes understand that so you have to go where the wind blows.
“If the opportunity is there and Fury’s the opponent or another very tall opponent and they call me in, then I’ll be there.”
When Ngannou’s crossover clash with Fury was announced, Sealy messaged the MMA star’s boxing coach Dewey Cooper.
And following a press conference in London, the two sparred and before long Sealy was invited out to his camp in Saudi Arabia.
ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT
Two weeks of sparring followed before Ngannou, 37, dropped Fury, 35, and was deemed unfortunate to walk away with a split-decision loss.
It means Fury now faces Usyk, 36, in an undisputed title decider on February 17 in Riyadh.
And it allows Sealy to be a part of another historic fight in boxing history.
He said: “I reflect on it when I’m not sparring, when I’m having my own personal time.
“I think it’s important to reflect and live in the moment because if I’m thinking too far ahead or thinking what’s next then I’m not soaking up the atmosphere, not relishing the opportunity.
“I know there’s not too many people that are my height and have the privilege to be a part of these camps.
“So by all means I am living up to the opportunity but I am living up to the expectation. It’s been two amazing experiences, two amazing camps.”
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