But the UFC crossover star’s statement of intent against Fury has helped bolster his image as a genuine prospect, and an opponent Joshua shouldn’t be taking for granted.

That being said, what do the experts think? Here, Mail Sport breaks down the predictions from some of the biggest names in the sport ahead of Friday’s fight night in Saudi Arabia.

Anthony Joshua (left) and Francis Ngannou (right) will face off in Saudi Arabia on Friday night

The British fighter is looking for a statement win against his opponent to set up a meeting with Tyson Fury

Ngannou had an impressive showdown with Tyson Fury in October and could yet be a serious title contender

Frank Warren

The Queensberry promoter hedged his bets in conversation with Mail Sport, but stressed that Ngannou could not be ruled out.

‘I can see a case for either of them (winning),’ Warren told Mail Sport.

‘I just think whoever lands the first meaningful punch… (it’s) how they respond to it. If AJ gets caught, if he catches him and hurts him, I think he’ll fight on the back foot and I don’t think that’s a good thing to do with this guy.’

Warren added that he thinks it ‘will be a knockout’ – possibly for Ngannou.

‘If he catches AJ will he go back and fight the way he did against Ruiz in the second fight off the back foot? And if he does that, that’s actually not going to be that good for him.

‘He’s got to come out and he’s got to impose himself on this big man.’

Verdict: Too close to call

Amir Khan

Speaking to the Sun, the Olympic silver medallist stood firmly in the AJ camp.

‘If he gets the knock out or outboxes Ngannou and makes it look so easy, I think it will be a big statement in the world of boxing, especially the heavyweight division,’ Khan said.

‘There’s still that talk that the Joshua and Fury fight should still happen so this is a good chance for Joshua to show how good he is.

‘Obviously, Ngannou surprised us all because that massive fight he had with Tyson Fury and how close the fight was, it could have gone either way.

‘But the fight with Joshua, Joshua’s gonna know now how hard he gave a fight to Fury. So I’m sure he’s going to be on his A-game. He’s not going to make the same mistakes and he’s going to train very hard for this fight.

For Joshua’s win, Khan predicted: ‘I think it could be a mid-round, mid-fight knockout maybe four, five, six rounds. Or, it could be a 12-round decision.’

Verdict: Joshua

Tyson Fury

The Gypsy King has cut a mischievous presence in Saudi Arabia ahead of taking a seat ringside, but he was unwilling to fall on either side of the debate when asked for his thoughts on which man was going to come out on top.

‘They are both two big strong guys and that’s why it is called knockout chaos,’ Fury said. ‘Anyone can win it.

They are both big punchers who are not very hard to hit, so they can both land and do damage. I would like to back the former heavyweight world champion (Joshua) but then again who the f*** am I to say anything?

‘If Francis wins then it sets up a massive rematch between us, but if AJ wins then it sets up a big British fight.’

Verdict: Too close to call

The Cameroonian dropped Fury – but the Gypsy King recovered to win via split decision

The fighters – plus Fury and Cristiano Ronaldo (centre left) gathered at the home of Turki Alalshikh (centre) on Tuesday night

The winner of Joshua-Ngannou will be clear to set up a contest with Fury after his May fight against Oleksandr Usyk

Jake Paul

Impressed by Joshua’s strong showing against Otto Wallin less than four months ago, the YouTuber-turned-boxer had little doubt in his ability to get one over on the relative novice.

AJ V NGANNOU ODDS

To win:

Joshua 1/4

Ngannou 11/4

Draw 25/1

Odds courtesy of Paddy Power

‘It’ll be interesting but I think it will be hard for Francis to beat a Joshua that has looked like his old self, whereas I think Ngannou had an old, lacklustre, not focused Fury,’ Paul said, as per talkSPORT.

‘I want Francis to win, but I think it’s going to be tough for him.’

Verdict: Joshua