ANTHONY Joshua believes he has a lot to learn from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) great Conor McGregor as the heavyweight boxer gets set to face mixed martial arts fighter Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
Former world boxing heavyweight champion Joshua, who has dual Nigerian and British nationality, will battle Cameroonian Ngannou in a boxing showdown on Friday.
The bout between the two-time world boxing champion and former UFC heavyweight champion is the headline event of ‘Knockout Chaos’ in Riyadh on Friday night.
Joshua’s fight against Robert Helenius last August was sponsored by McGregor’s beer company and the two met afterwards to celebrate.
Now, ahead of the widely publicised bout, Joshua was shown a picture of his ringside meeting with McGregor before sharing his thoughts on the flamboyant MMA fighter.
The 34-year-old Joshua had nothing but good things to say about McGregor, who he admits has inspired him to try to approach life with a more relaxed attitude.
“He’s a larger-than-life character; he’s someone you can take inspiration from,” Joshua told Matchroom Boxing
“Remember, you’re only here once and you’ve got to love and live life.
“Each to their own but a lot of people are quiet, reserved and getting through life but he’s someone who’s at the forefront of life and living it to its full capacity and I love him for that.
“There’s mileage in speaking to someone like Conor McGregor; even if it’s a small gem, something is better than nothing.
“While you’re here, love, live life. Be confident, flamboyant, be an extrovert and don’t be shy. When it’s all said and done you only get one chance at life.”
Joshua has a professional boxing record of 30 fights with 27 victories, while Friday’s bout will be 37-year-old Ngannou’s second ever in boxing, after his controversial points defeat to World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Tyson Fury last year.
