Anthony Joshua to battle Francis Ngannou in Saudi as boxing and UFC stars conflict
Anthony Joshua will battle former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in a 10-round bout.
Two-time former heavyweight boxing champion Joshua will tackle Ngannou, who floored Tyson Fury in October as he got here near inflicting an almighty shock towards the WBC champion. The bombshell announcement got here on Friday evening from MMA correspondent Ariel Helwani on social media.
Joshua capped off his third win of 2023 in December with a dominant knockout victory over Otto Wallin. And he has eyed a battle with Ngannou later this 12 months as the subsequent step in the direction of recovering the belts he misplaced to Oleksandr Usyk.
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“Massive breaking news from the world of combat sports,” Helwani stated. “I’ve had it confirmed that it is a done deal, it is going down, Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion is returning to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
“He is returning to motion later this 12 months to face the person who had an unbelievable 2023 in his personal proper. The man who simply received on ‘day of reckoning’ on December 23, the one and solely ‘AJ’, Anthony Joshua. It is a finished deal.”
(Image: AFP through Getty Images)
Helwani went on to disclose {that a} press convention with the 2 fighters will happen in London later this month. It is known {that a} victory for Joshua will put him towards the victor of the Usyk v Fury unification conflict, additionally happening in Saudi on February 17.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn later confirmed the battle by tweeting: “Tonight we confirm it’s a Done Deal! @anthonyjoshua v @francis_ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – press conference Jan 15 in London with full details dropping soon!”
(Image: Getty Images)
AJ had signed to face big-hitting American Wilder simply hours earlier than he beat Wallin on December 23. But Wilder went on to lose to Joseph Parker earlier than Joshua took on Wallin to wreck hopes of that bout happening on March 9.
Joshua later insisted he wished to face IBF No 1 Filip Hrgovic for the title if it grew to become vacant after Fury’s undisputed conflict with Usyk, although these plans have now modified.
Despite Ngannou giving Fury a fright, Joshua will probably be a heavy favorite towards a fighter who has boxed professionally simply as soon as. The date hasn’t been finalised but however it’s anticipated to be on the weekend of March 9.
