Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou: Who will win the epic clash?
Former UFC champion Ngannou is set to face Anthony Joshua in a boxing match, marking Ngannou’s second professional boxing bout. The news was confirmed by combat-sports journalist Ariel Helwani, citing Saudi adviser Turki Al-Sheikh, who oversees boxing in the region. Queensberry Promotions, affiliated with Al-Sheikh, confirmed the development and announced an upcoming press conference.
Ngannou, 37, made his pro boxing debut in October against Tyson Fury in Riyadh, where he controversially lost after knocking down the WBC heavyweight champion. Now, he is scheduled to fight British boxer Anthony Joshua, 34, in Riyadh. The date of the contest is expected to be announced soon, with the bout scheduled for 10 rounds.
Joshua’s last fight was in December against Otto Wallin in Riyadh, securing a fifth-round TKO victory. This marked his third win in 2023, rebounding from back-to-back defeats by Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022.
Usyk, the current unified heavyweight champion, is set to fight Fury in Riyadh in February for the chance to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years. Ngannou, who held the UFC heavyweight title from 2021 to 2022, left the UFC in 2023, signing with the Professional Fighters League, a rival MMA promotion.
Joshua was initially expected to face Deontay Wilder after defeating Wallin, but Wilder lost to Joseph Parker. The potential bout with Filip Hrgovic for the IBF heavyweight title was suggested if the Fury vs. Usyk winner vacated the belt. The implications of the recent news regarding Joshua’s fight with Ngannou on a potential Joshua vs. Hrgovic bout remain unclear.
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