The clash between these two titans is officially confirmed by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, and has left social media and the global sporting community buzzing with excitement.
By Emmanuel Okoro
British-Nigerian boxing sensation, Anthony Joshua, is slated to go head-to-head with Cameroonian MMA powerhouse, Francis Ngannou in a highly anticipated 10-round bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The clash between these two titans is officially confirmed by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, and has left social media and the global sporting community buzzing with excitement.
This announcement follows months of speculation surrounding Joshua’s next bout, with fingers pointing toward United States’ Deontay Wilder after Joshua had defeated Sweden’s Otto Wallin in December. However, the deal broke down after Wilder lost to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker. As it turns out, Joshua’s next match will be none other than the newly minted Professional Fighters League signee, Francis Ngannou, who will be stepping into the ring against the former unified heavyweight champion.
Ngannou’s foray into professional boxing made headlines when he signed with the Professional Fighters League in May 2023. In October last year, the boxer pulled an impressive debut performance against the WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury. Ngannou showcased his versatility, stunning the world with a third-round knockdown of Fury through a powerful left hook. Despite seemingly gaining the upper hand, Ngannou lost the bout by a narrow split-decision victory awarded to Fury by the judges.
The upcoming clash with Joshua promises to be a battle of epic proportions, as the Cameroon-born fighter looks to capitalise on his newfound status in the world of professional boxing. Known for his devastating knockout power, Ngannou’s measured approach against Fury demonstrated a strategic finesse that surprised many.
Joshua, boasting of a record of 27 wins, 3 losses, and 24 knockouts, will be entering the ring fresh from his victory over Wallin. For more insights about this epic showdown, a press conference is scheduled to take place in London later this month.