Ex Anthony Joshua trainer, Angel Fernandez has claimed a certain British Cruiserweight hits harder than AJ and snubbed him from his hardest-hitting punchers list.
The former two time world champion has just defeated Francis Ngannou by a brutal KO in the second round, where he and new trainer Ben Davison built a plan to nullify the Cameroonian giant. The ex Olympians link up with previous Tyson Fury trainer, Ben Davison, has brought back the glory years for Joshua fighting at the highest level since his championship days.
But Ex trainer Fernandez says that Richard Riakporhe hits the hardest of the fighters Fernandez has ever worked with before.
Richard Riakporhe Hits Harder than Anthony Joshua
Riakporhe, who has signed to take on Chris Billam Smith for the WBO Cruiserwight title, has a just a 74% knockout rate compared to Joshua’s nearly 90%(89.29%).
Despite this when asked who had the hardest punch, Fernandez told talkSPORT.com: “Richard Riakporhe by a country mile.
“For example, we had some training with the water bag. It was one guy behind, he whacked it and the guy left. I went behind the bag and I had to have a rugby pad behind the bag so that I didn’t feel it as much. It was incredible, and I think Richard is the hardest puncher I have ever trained.”
Anthony Joshua now faces the prospect of potentially fighting for a third world title shot after His Excellency Turki Alalshikh promised him the winner of Uysk and Fury’s bout.
This bout is scheduled to take place in May but it is subject to a rematch, potentially leaving Joshua looking for a different opponent to keep active.
Fernandez was Fearful
Fernandez gave some advice for the Brit over the weekend in his bout against Ngannou saying he would need to box cautiously and be patient to win.
He added: “Any fight is dangerous. Both great fighters. I think the game plan for AJ is to sit behind the jab, footwork and use the distance.” Despite taking the opposite game plan Fernandez did say he couldn’t fight on the back foot to win.
“That doesn’t mean on the back foot, but he needs to instead get Ngannou to fight on the back foot so I believe he can get the win.”
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