Francis Ngannou Collides with Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, January 1, 2024 – Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is set to make his second professional boxing bout after he is set to face Former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua after the planned fight was announced by promotional teams Matchroom and Queensberry on Friday.

It’s not been confirmed when the fight will happen, however, it’s reported that March 9, when Joshua was supposed to take on Deontay Wilder, is the date being touted for the blockbuster fight between Joshua and Ngannou.

Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Tonight we confirm it’s a Done Deal! Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – press conference Jan 15 in London with full details dropping soon!”

English manager and promoter Frank Warren confirmed the fight also. He said: “Another historic night for Riyadh Season! “Press conference and fight date news coming soon. Can’t wait for it all to get started!”

Cameroon-born Ngannou shocked the boxing world on his professional boxing debut when he staggered WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury last October. The Gypsy King recovered from the knockdown to win on points via split decision, an outcome that is still heavily contested in favour of Ngannou.

Ngannou held the UFC heavyweight title from 2021 until 2022, before vacating the gold while leaving the UFC in 2023. The Cameroonian soon signed with the Professional Fighters League, a rival MMA promotion to the UFC, which has allowed him to box ahead of his debut in the company.

Joshua, who beat Otto Wallin before Christmas, will return to Riyadh to face Ngannou. The former heavyweight champion, who has been without a belt since his loss to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021, was targeting a fight against hard-hitting Croat Filip Hrgovic but will now take on Ngannou. It will be a 10-round bout, according to reports, and could take place in March.

Speaking after his impressive win against Wallin, Joshua declared: "I'm down to fight anyone. Whenever and whoever."

Charlie Wyett, a writer for the Sun said Ngannou is the right opponent for Joshua, who had been looking to face Wilder. He said: "He was hoping it was going to be Deontay Wilder but because of what happened with his fight they have lined this opponent up. It's a process that's going to take a while."

"It's a good fight for him [Joshua], it's probably going to be on March 9, with the press conference in a few days,” Charlie Wyett added.

“I think that's one thing we're going to have to get used to now for many years to come that all these fights are going to be in Saudi Arabia now. But it's not a surprise that they've fixed up a fight for around that time."