By Victor Kanayo
A 10-round fight has been set-up between British/Nigerian-born Anthony Joshua and Cameroonian Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This was confirmed by promoter Eddie Hearn via the X platform on Friday night.
The promoter simply wrote, “it’s a done deal. Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.”
Awaiting Fight Date
However, Hearn didn’t disclose the date for the clash, but gave an assurance that it will be made public during a press conference scheduled for London.
But it is expected that the fight will be staged on March 9, 2024, the date originally scheduled for Joshua vs Deontay Wilder.
Initial Scuttled Schedule
Joshua and Wilder had agreed a deal to face off ahead of fighting on the same Day of Reckoning card in Saudi Arabia on December 23.
But while Joshua enjoyed an impressive win over Otto Wallin, forcing the Swede to retire, Wilder was comprehensively beaten on points by Parker.
Painful Loss
Now AJ will instead take on Ngannou in an intriguing match-up after the MMA icon pushed Fury all the way on his boxing bow in a fight he was expected to lose comfortably.
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Ngannou was eventually adjudged to have lost to Tyson Fury on his professional boxing debut in October.
He was ranked 10th heavyweight boxer by the WBC after he almost stunned WBC heavyweight champion Fury, losing on a controversial split decision in their Saudi Arabia contest.
AJ’s ultimate goal is to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world having lost his world title against Usyk in September 2021 before failing to win them back when they met the following year.
Looming Fury Vs Usyk Heavyweight Bout
Fury and Usyk are the current holders of the major heavyweight belts and the pair will lock horns in an undisputed showdown on February 17, also in Saudi Arabia.
Fury, a Briton at 35, is the WBC champion, with Ukraine’s Usyk, 36, holding the WBA, WBO and IBF belts.
