Just months following his shock knockdown of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, former UFC fighter from Cameroon, Francis Ngannou, is preparing for another high-profile bout with ex-British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
In a November about that ended in controversy, Ngannou narrowly lost to Fury despite managing to floor the ‘Gypsy King’. This upcoming fight allows Ngannou to assert his prowess again.
The eagerly anticipated matchup will headline at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia, a venue swiftly gaining renown for hosting boxing’s premier events. Following Deontay Wilder’s defeat by Joseph Parker, Ngannou emerged as the unexpected challenger for Joshua after Wilder was forced to step aside from his heavyweight title quest.
Joshua, a two-time unified division champion, faced a setback, losing the title to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 for the second time. However, he has since rebounded, securing three wins in 2023 and showcasing a more formidable and aggressive fighting style.
While many anticipated Joshua might seek a different adversary or await the outcome of the Fury vs. Usyk unification about, Ngannou’s impressive showing has carved out this match as a golden opportunity.
Joshua vs Ngannou Fight Details:
The event is slated for Friday, March 8, beginning at 10:00 ET and the main event scheduled for 18:00 ET / 15:00 PT. The fight is part of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix festivities on Saturday, March 9.
Hosted at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia, the venue boasts a capacity of over 26,000 spectators.
Broadcast Information for the USA:
The DAZN network has secured exclusive streaming rights for the Joshua-Ngannou fight in the USA. Viewing fees are set at $69.99, while DAZN subscribers can access the event as part of their monthly subscription — $19.99 with a 12-month commitment or $24.99 on a month-to-month basis.