Anthony Joshua will take on ex- UFC star Francis Ngannou in a 10-round bout in Saudi Arabia in March.
The pair will clash in what will only be Ngannou’s second professional bout. He came close to stunning Tyson Fury last year, flooring the WBC champion before losing a marginal points decision.
Joshua had been provisionally scheduled to face Deontay Wilder following his win over Otto Wallin on December 23. However, that clash was scuppered by the American’s defeat to Joseph Parker.
On Friday night, MMA correspondent Ariel Helwani revealed the news on social media. In a video posted online, he said: “Massive breaking news from the world of combat sports,” he said. “I’ve had it confirmed that it is a done deal, it is going down, Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion is returning to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
“He is returning to action later this year to face the man who had an incredible 2023 in his own right. The man who just won on ‘day of reckoning’ on December 23, the only and only ‘AJ’, Anthony Joshua. It is a done deal.”
Helwani added that a press conference would take place in London later this month to confirm a date for the clash. Should Joshua, 34, prevail, he will be expected to then take on the victory of the Oleksandr Usyk v Fury unification bout, that also takes place in Saudi on February 17.
Eddie Hearn later added: “Tonight we confirm it’s a Done Deal! @anthonyjoshua v @francis_ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – press conference Jan 15 in London with full details dropping soon!”
The British heavyweight looked close to his explosive best in Saudi before Christmas, with Wallin failing to return from his stool for the sixth round. But he will be wary of Ngannou’s own clash in the Middle East least year, his only professional boxing bout to date.
And after coming so close to stunning the ‘Gypsy King’, the 37-year-old was awarded a No.10 ranking by the WBC. He left the UFC in January 2023, and was duly stripped of his heavyweight title, after the two parties failed to reach an agreement over a new contract.
He then signed for the Professional Fighters League. However, the ‘Predator’ has not since competed in an MMA bout amid preparing for his clash with Fury.
