EDDIE HEARN is sure Anthony Joshua will knock Francis Ngannou out in their upcoming fight.

And Hearn, 44, is adamant the bout will be over “by the end of the eighth round”.

2Anthony Joshua is set to take on UFC legend Francis Ngannou in a boxing fightCredit: Alamy

Eddie Hearn is adamant Joshua will knock Ngannou out in the eighth roundCredit: Alamy

UFC legend Ngannou, 37, will cross over to the world of boxing once more after his stunning display against Tyson Fury, when he went the distance and even knocked the Gypsy King down with a powerful punch.

The Cameroonian went on to lose by a controversial split decision but his performance earned him a bout with Joshua, 34, which will take place on March 8 in Saudi Arabia.

And Hearn is convinced the Brit will do what Fury couldn’t, and that is knock the MMA hero out.

He told Matchroom Boxing: “I do [believe Joshua will knock Ngannou out].

“I believe that he is going to wear him down and chop him down and by the end of the eighth round this fight will be over.

“Anthony Joshua will be ready to fight for the undisputed world championship.”

That undisputed showdown would be against either Fury or Oleksandr Usyk, who will face off for all titles on February 17.

Joshua has shaken off his two consecutive losses to Usyk with three big wins over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.

His emphatic and dominant victory against Wallin was particularly impressive seeing as the Swede also gave Fury a hard time in 2022.

The wins have improved Joshua’s record, which now stands at 27 wins and three losses from 30 fights.