Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou are set to face each other in a historic heavyweight bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, March 8. The fight will be streamed live on DAZN in the US and Canada, and on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland.
Both fighters have a lot to prove in this cross-over clash, as they aim to cement their legacy in the combat sports world. Joshua, a former two-time unified boxing champion, is looking to bounce back from his loss to Oleksandr Usyk in September, and earn another shot at the undisputed title. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is looking to shock the world again after his impressive debut in boxing against Tyson Fury in October, where he lost a controversial decision.
Joshua, 34, has a record of 27 wins and 3 losses, with 24 knockouts. He has defeated some of the best heavyweights in boxing history, such as Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin, Joseph Parker, and Andy Ruiz Jr. He is known for his power, speed, and athleticism, as well as his resilience and determination. He has vowed to deliver a knockout victory over Ngannou, saying: “I’m the postman, I deliver”.
Ngannou, 37, has a record of 0 wins and 1 loss in boxing, and 16 wins and 4 losses in MMA, with 13 knockouts. He has dominated the UFC heavyweight division with his devastating punching power, knocking out the likes of Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, and Stipe Miocic. He is regarded as one of the hardest hitters in combat sports history, and has claimed that he can beat any boxer in the world. He has expressed confidence in his ability to win on points, saying: “I truly believe [I can win on points]. I [beat] Fury on points, so how can I not believe that?”.
The fight is expected to be a thrilling spectacle
The fight between Joshua and Ngannou has generated a lot of buzz and excitement among fans and experts alike, as it pits two of the most powerful and explosive heavyweights in the world against each other. The fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena, a custom-built venue that can accommodate up to 20,000 spectators. The arena was also the site of Joshua’s rematch win over Ruiz in 2019, where he reclaimed his titles in a masterful performance.
The fight will be a 12-round contest, with the standard boxing rules and regulations. The referee will be Steve Willis, a veteran official who has overseen some of the biggest fights in recent years, such as Deontay Wilder vs Luis Ortiz, Gennady Golovkin vs Daniel Jacobs, and Terence Crawford vs Amir Khan. The judges will be Glenn Feldman, Dave Moretti, and Steve Weisfeld, all experienced and respected scorers who have judged many world title fights.
The fight will also feature a stacked undercard, with some of the best fighters in the world in action. The co-main event will be a WBC featherweight world title fight between Rey Vargas and Nick Ball, a rising star from Liverpool who is undefeated in 16 fights. The card will also include a WBA super-flyweight world title fight between Khalid Yafai and Roman Gonzalez, a rematch of their thrilling bout in 2020, where Gonzalez scored a stunning knockout win. Other notable fights on the card are Filip Hrgovic vs Michael Hunter, a heavyweight eliminator, and Diego Pacheco vs John Ryder, a super-middleweight clash.
The fight could have huge implications for the future of boxing
The fight between Joshua and Ngannou is not only a blockbuster event, but also a potential game-changer for the sport of boxing. The fight could open the door for more cross-over bouts between boxing and MMA stars, as well as create new opportunities and challenges for the heavyweight division.
The winner of the fight will be in a strong position to challenge for the undisputed heavyweight title, which will be contested by Fury and Usyk on May 18 in Saudi Arabia. Fury and Usyk are widely considered the best heavyweights in the world, and have both expressed interest in facing the winner of Joshua vs Ngannou. Fury, who has a history of trash-talking with both Joshua and Ngannou, has said: “I’ll fight anyone, anytime, anywhere. Bring them on”. Usyk, who has a more respectful approach, has said: “I respect both Joshua and Ngannou, they are great fighters. But I am ready for anyone who has the belts”.
The loser of the fight, on the other hand, will face a difficult road to redemption, as they will have to rebuild their reputation and ranking in the heavyweight scene. The loser could also face some of the other top contenders in the division, such as Dillian Whyte, Joe Joyce, Andy Ruiz Jr, or Luis Ortiz, who are all eager to get a shot at the title or a big payday. The loser could also consider a return to MMA, in the case of Ngannou, or a retirement, in the case of Joshua, depending on their age and motivation.
The fight between Joshua and Ngannou is a rare and exciting opportunity for the fans to witness a clash of titans in the ring, and a pivotal moment for the sport of boxing. The fight will be a test of skill, power, and heart, and will determine the fate of two of the most formidable fighters in the world.
