Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who lost his belt to Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the fall of 2021, is back in the ring and looking to extend his unbeaten streak to four after losing a split rematch against Usyk. decision.
Joshua’s last fight is a bout with Francis Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion who is a dual citizen of France and Cameroon and currently competes in MMA for the Professional Fighters League. Ngannou made his professional boxing debut last October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, losing the 10-round ‘Battle of the Worsts’ to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury by split decision after knocking out the Lancastrian in the third round.
Ngannou defeats Joshua over 10 rounds at the top of the bill dubbed ‘Knockout Chaos’. Joshua is confident he can dominate the non-title fight as he defeated Otto Wallin in five rounds last December, telling Sky Sports: “I believe I can knock him out. Absolutely. I’d love to knock him out and make a statement. Physically I feel strong.” “I feel, I feel good. I’m strong enough to get the job done and I’m in a place mentally where I’m ready for the fight. I’m looking forward to that fight.”
When is the Joshua-Ngannou match?
The match is planned to be held on Friday, March 8, 2024. The undercard will start at 16:00 GMT with Joshua vs. Ngannou starting around 23:00.
Why is the fight being held on Friday?
The race is being held on Friday instead of the usual Saturday night to avoid a clash with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on 9 March. The Grand Prix itself has also been brought forward a day to avoid disrupting the start of Ramadan, Sunday.
Where is the fight taking place?
The match will be played in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, which is taking a big step towards becoming the new destination of world sports events. He fought there recently when Joshua beat Wallin.
How can I watch it in the UK?
The fight is being shown exclusively on Sky Box Office in the UK and Ireland for a pay-per-view fee of £19.95 in the Republic of Ireland or €24.95 for Sky customers. Customers outside the UK and Ireland can watch the film on DAZN for a £19.99 PPV fee.
Telegraph Sport will be running a live blog of all aspects, with the latest contributions from Gareth A Davies in Saudi Arabia.
Who is in the undercard lineup?
-
Zhilei Zhang vs. Joseph Parker for the WBO interim heavyweight title
-
Rey Vargas and Nick Ball for the WBC featherweight title
-
Mark Chamberlain vs Gavin Gwynne
-
Jack McGann vs. Louis Greene
-
Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres
-
Justis Huni vs Kevin Lerena
-
Ziyad Almaayouf vs Christian Lopes Flores
-
Roman Fury vs Martin Svarc
What are the latest rates?
-
Joshua will win 1/4
-
Ngannou will win 3/1
-
To draw 16/1
Betting on a fight? Take a look at these first best betting sites before the big conflict
Why Joshua vs Ngannou isn’t cheating
Anthony Joshua described Francis Ngannou as a “gimmick” in the heavyweight division when the former UFC star fought world champion Fury in October.
Now the British heavyweight has to face Ngannou, declaring to the din in Riyadh that he will “take your soul” in the ring.
More than a little danger is at stake for Joshua when two big punches collide in an event dubbed ‘Knockout Chaos’.
The march towards the Middle East continues with more ties and deeper investments. There is no “gimmick” in boxing’s increasing presence in major fights in Saudi Arabia. Saudi minister Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Authority for Entertainment and Seasoning in Riyadh, signaled his intention and signed Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang on the card.
Rival British promoters Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn will also compete on a card later this year, pitting five fighters from each stable against each other. Warren and Hearn shook hands on stage as the Saudi Minister announced the deal; More will come; especially Tyson Fury’s undisputed heavyweight clash with Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh. Fury is already in Saudi Arabia for an eight-week camp and Ngannou departs for the Kingdom on Tuesday.
Promoter George Warren, Frank Warren’s son and who worked closely with Al-Sheikh, said: Telegram Sports: “I believe they are here for the long term in sports. “This is growing and the investment in boxing will be long-term.”
His father, Frank, said boxing was “revolutionary”. Bringing together the best fighters in their prime, these bouts reverse boxing’s tendency towards politics and procrastination.
The next two months bring the two biggest heavyweight bouts of the year: In May, Fury has his work cut out against Usyk as the two undefeated fighters share a groundbreaking, legacy-making moment. Joshua puts his reputation on the line against the dangerous Ngannou, whose story from growing up in poverty and digging a sand pit in his youth to becoming an all-conquering cage fighter in Las Vegas is a Hollywood scenario in itself. From here it could potentially lead to the biggest, richest British fight of all time: Fury versus Joshua. It could be. It’s getting closer.
Rejuvenated after his brilliant performance against Otto Wallin in December and rejuvenated under the management of young trainer Ben Davison, Joshua is currently flying high. This was evident from the serious look on Ngannou’s face, wearing a gold cape over the Briton’s tracksuit outfit.
Joshua is exuding confidence right now; physical and mental. “You have to take someone’s soul, you have to take their soul. “And I’m definitely looking forward to this fight,” Joshua said, adding that the contest will be an “explosive” encounter.
It will definitely happen. But as we saw with Ngannou, who defeated Fury in the third round of their fight in October, he is a fighter capable of carpe diem moments. Sitting backstage with Ngannou just before the press conference, the 6ft 6in 20-stone warrior rubbed his hands together.
Ngannou smiled: “I won a long time ago with what happened to me in my life.” “Did I upset the heavyweight division against Tyson Fury…? Watch me truly shock the world against Anthony Joshua. Shock the world. Bring change.
Who can stand in front of Ngannou and doubt him and the extraordinary narrative arc that follows his life. Just like boxing itself right now. It brings change and a new dawn.