Anthony Joshua has been warned by trainer Ben Davison that he can’t rest on his laurels during next month’s fight against Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

Anthony Joshua’s trainer has warned him not to take Francis Ngannou lightly ahead of their fight in Saudi Arabia on March 8. Ngannou almost beat Tyson Fury last year, as the WBC champion climbed back up from the canvas to win via split decision.

“Treat him with the respect,” AJ’s trainer Ben Davison told Sky Sports. “Let’s not lose the sight of it. He had a split-decision loss to Tyson. Straightaway that puts him up among people that have really struggled with Tyson.”

Davison added: “He showed composure, he showed patience, which are all things which become a threat when you can punch like that. I think it’s easier to deal with a puncher when they’re a little bit reckless, a bit gung ho. They’re the novicey side of his game that we thought we would see – a lack of patience, a lack of composure. But those are things that he’s shown. So we’re treating him like a world-class heavyweight.”

Defeating Ngannou, who is used to fighting in the UFC’s octagon, will not be easy for Joshua. Davison continued: “You have got the MMA,” Davison said. “A lot of his knockouts have come from him standing up and his punches etc. So there is a bit to look at in the MMA as well and obviously the 10-round fight with Tyson. The 10-round fight against Tyson’s a big asset to us, I feel.”

Ngannou feels sure he could beat AJ when they meet in the Middle East. He told DAZN that he doubts Joshua can handle punches like Fury did in their bout last year. Ngannou said: “Yeah, I have a doubt about that.