ANTHONY Joshua will face Cameroonian mixed martial arts legend Francis Ngannou in his next fight, promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed.
Ngannou produced a stunning performance on his professional boxing debut when he knocked down Tyson Fury last October, although the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion was controversially declared the winner on points via a split decision.
Now Ngannou is set to face two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Joshua, who has bounced back from defeat to Oleksandr Usyk to win three times in 2023.
It was first claimed last night that Nigerian-Briton Joshua and Ngannou had signed a deal for the ten-round bout which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The showdown was then confirmed by Joshua’s promoter Hearn, who wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Tonight we confirm it’s a done deal! @anthonyjoshua v @francis_ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – press conference January 15 in London with full details dropping soon!”
Meanwhile, fellow promoter Frank Warren said: “Another historic night for
@RiyadhSeason! Press conference and fight date news coming soon. Can’t wait for it all to get started!”
Joshua was initially due to fight Deontay Wilder next but the American heavyweight, also a former world champion, was beaten by Joseph Parker on the same night in December that the Nigerian-Briton secured an impressive stoppage victory against Otto Wallin.
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.
While the fight will be only a second boxing bout for Ngannou, 34-year-old Joshua has a professional record of of 27 victories, 24 via knockout, in 30 fights.
Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC) great Ngannou, 37, has a mixed martial arts record of 17 wins and three losses.
