Francis Ngannou to Fight Anthony Joshua on March 8 2024 in Saudi Arabia
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (January 7th, 2024)– Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk, scheduled for February 17, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, not posted officially on BoxRec, has been upstaged by Anthony Joshua versus Francis Ngannou.
In what has to be the biggest nontitle boxing event of 2024, former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony A.J. Joshua, fresh off his stoppage win over Otto Wallin, will battle former MMA world heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, likely on March 8, 2024. The Matchroom Boxing and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions scheduling avoids a DAZN broadcast clash with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on the following day, March 9, 2024. A press conference announcing the 10 rounds main event Joshua versus Ngannou heavyweight bout will be held in London, United Kingdom on January 15, 2024.
Other possible A.J. opponents, including Deontay Wilder, Filip Hrgovic, and a rematch with Joseph Parker, have been cast aside for Ngannou, who has opened the betting line odds as a substantial underdog.
Joshua vs. Ngannou Betting Odds:
Ngannou, 17-3 MMA record, 0-1 pro boxing record, Las Vegas. Nevada, via Cameroon, is coming off his pro boxing in October 2023 at Boulevard Hall, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, when he dropped Tyson Fury with a left hook in the third round, but lost a controversial 10 round split decision to Fury. In the fight, Judge Ed Garner scored the bout 95-94 for Ngannou. That fight was Ngannou’s pro boxing debut after leaving the UFC in free agency as their heavyweight champion 18 months prior. Ngannou wants A.J. He now has his wish.
Joshua, 27-3, 24 knockouts, Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, on a three-fight win streak with victories over Otto Wallin, late substitute Robert Helenius, and Jermaine Franklin, is a former World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation, International Boxing Federation, and International Boxing Organization World Heavyweight champion. The winner of Joshua versus Ngannou will be looking for the winner of Fury versus Usyk, which has a mandatory rematch clause similar to Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. Joshua still has a mandatory title eliminator bout with Filip Hrgovic due in 2024 which must be resolved. Ngannou, world ranked by the World Boxing Council in heavyweight top ten, cannot be accused of ducking anybody or looking for an easy fight. Ngannou could take Joshua out with one shot as Andy Ruiz Jr. almost did, a dangerous opponent for A.J.
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