by Anthony Joshua will continue his rehab towards becoming a world-class heavyweight force when he takes on Francis Ngannou for a heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia on Friday March 8, 2024.
While there won’t be any belts on the line, this will represent another payday for both men as well as a chance for Joshua to keep the momentum going as he climbs off the metaphorical canvas after a pair of wins by Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua said he expects an “explosive” encounter when he faces Ngannou, who made his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in October.
“He has two hands, a body, but his mind is different from everyone else. In terms of his frame and build I have seen people like him many times,” said Joshua. “My main focus is Ngannou and going through a tough training camp. I have to take his mind and his spirit, it will be explosive. We can trade both and it will be a good fight.”
Gareth A Davies, meanwhile, writes that this fight is not a ‘gimmick’.
When is Joshua v Ngannou?
The bout is scheduled for Friday March 8.
Why is the fight on Friday?
The fight is taking place on Friday, rather than the usual Saturday night, to avoid a clash with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on March 9.
Where is the fight taking place?
The bout will be contested in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, which is making a big play to become a new premium destination for global sporting events. Joshua fought there recently when he beat Otto Wallin.
How can I watch it in the UK?
TV details have not been announced, but the fight is sure to be on pay-per-view, probably at a cost of more than £20.
Who is on the card below?
Zhilei Zhang v Joseph Parker
Rey Vargas v Nick Ball
Mark Chamberlain vs Gavin Gwynne
Justice Huni v TBC
Ziyad Almayuf v TBC
Roman Fury v TBC
Jack McGann v TBC
No Joshua v Ngannou gimmick fight
Joshua labeled Ngannou a “gimmick” in the heavyweight division when the former UFC star fought world champion Fury back in October.
But now the British heavyweight is challenged to face Ngannou, who announced that he would “take his soul” in the ring in their rumble in Riyadh.
There is more than a little danger for Joshua when the two giants collide in an event called ‘Knockout Chaos’, and the two fighters come face to face in London to publicize the event.
The march towards the Middle East continues, with more connections and deeper investment. There is no “gimmick” in the growing presence of big boxing fights in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Minister Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Authority for Entertainment and Seasons of Riyadh, expressed his intention and Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang signed a March card.
British rival promoters Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn will duke it out on a card later this year, bringing five fighters from each of their stables to face each other. Warren and Hearn shook hands on stage as the Saudi minister announced the deal – with more to come, notably Tyson Fury’s undisputed heavyweight bout with Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh. Fury is already in Saudi Arabia for an eight-week camp while Ngannou leaves for the Kingdom on Tuesday.
Promoter George Warren, son of Frank Warren who works closely with Al-Sheikh, told Telegraph Sport: “I believe they are here for the long term in the sport. This is getting bigger and bigger, and the investment in boxing is here for the long term.”
His father, Frank, said boxing is “being revolutionized”. Boxing’s penchant for politics and procrastination is being turned on its head by these bouts, which are bringing together the greatest fighters in their lives.
The next two months bring two of the biggest heavyweight events of the year: Fury has his work cut out against Usyk and two undefeated fighters in some era-defining moments of creation in February. Joshua puts his own reputation on the line against the dangerous Ngannou, whose storyline from growing up in poverty and digging in a sand quarry as a teenager to becoming an all-powerful cage fighter in Las Vegas is a Hollywood script in itself. From there, it has the potential to lead to the biggest and richest all-British fight of all time: Fury versus Joshua. It could happen. It’s getting closer.
Joshua, fresh from a stunning performance against Otto Wallin in December and newly revamped under young trainer Ben Davison, is flying high at the moment. It showed in his business-like demeanor in the face of Ngannou, embedded in a golden Cape with track-suitable British attire.
Joshua is confident right now; physically and mentally. “You have to take a person’s soul, you have to take their spirit. And I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge,” said Joshua, adding that the contest will be an “explosive” encounter.
It certainly will. But as we saw with Ngannou when he knocked Fury down in the third round of their fight back in October, he is a fighter capable of carpe diem moments. Sitting backstage with Ngannou just before the news conference, the 6ft 6ins 20 stone fighter rubbed his hands together.
“I won a long time ago, with what happened to me in life,” smiled Ngannou. “Did I enter the heavyweight division against Tyson Fury… ? Watch me the world opposes Anthony Joshua. The shock of the world. Bring change.”
Who can stand before Ngannou and doubt him, and the extraordinary story arc after his life. Just like boxing itself at the moment. Bringing change – and the dawn of a new day.
