ANTHONY JOSHUA has been warned he faces “the hardest puncher in the world” in Francis Ngannou.

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

Francis Ngannou with his boxing trainer Dewey CooperCredit: Reuters

And when they came face to face for the first time at a press conference, Ngannou questioned Joshua’s punch resilience.

His boxing coach Dewey Cooper has now clarified those comments – with the MMA star possessing the power to be ultra confident.

Cooper told DAZN: “The bottom line is when you bring pressure and an imposing style to break your opponent down, like Anthony Joshua going on the front foot against Otto Wallin, there is a level of trepidation, a level of danger when you are fighting a guy who has knockout power.

“Especially against a guy who has one punch knockout power like Francis Ngannou does. Me as a coach, I don’t discount Joshua’s chin.

“He’s an Olympic Gold medallist, a two-time heavyweight boxing world champion, I know his pedigree, I know his talent.

“But when you are Francis Ngannou, when you are registered as the hardest puncher in the world you feel that way about everyone you come up against. That’s a great way to feel going into a fight.”

Ngannou, 37, astonishingly dropped Tyson Fury, 35, on his boxing debut in October before controversially losing on points.

Despite defeat, the ex-UFC champion proceeds to fight Joshua, 34, in only his second boxing bout and aimed a dig at the British superstar.

He said: “I’m going to fight him, so what do you think I’m going to do? Look for his chin.

“I mean, that’s what happens in a fight. In a fight, you try to hit somebody in the chin or wherever you can hit him, right?

“Yes, I heard that he doesn’t have a chin. I don’t know if it’s true or not. We are going to find out.

“I hope I get the opportunity to test that out. That’s my wish, that’s what I’m wishing for.”

Anthony Joshua and Ngannou ahead of their fightCredit: PA