Boxing fans received exciting news in early January 2024 when fight promoter Eddie Hearn announced that Francis Ngannou will take on Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight boxing match.
Their showdown will occur in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, March 9. It will last 10 rounds.
Ngannou, dubbed “The Predator,” is a former UFC heavyweight champion who left the UFC in 2023 to pursue boxing. Ngannou never lost his UFC heavyweight belt.
He lost his first boxing matchup to Tyson Fury by split decision in Riyadh last October, holding his own against “The Gypsy King” despite being a +1100 underdog.
He knocked Fury down in the third round.
It was a promising start to Ngannou’s boxing career after rejecting an offer from the UFC that could have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in the promotion’s history.
Now, the 37-year-old Cameroonian returns to Riyadh to build on his debut and prove he belongs.
That won’t be easy against Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion two inches taller than Ngannou. The 34-year-old British star is coming off three straight wins, most recently taking down Otto Wallin by TKO in five rounds on Dec. 23.
Of Joshua’s 27 career victories, 24 have come by knockout. He’s only lost three fights.
Who is Favored in Joshua vs. Ngannou?
Ngannou opened as a considerable underdog with +470 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, while Joshua opened a -550 favorite. Bettors apparently liked the value on Ngannou, as by mid-February Joshua had tightened to a -470 favorite, with Ngannou at +380.
Despite the relatively lopsided odds, Ngannou has more respect from oddsmakers after his strong showing against Fury.
Joshua was initially expected to face rival Deontay Wilder in March, but that matchup fell apart after Joseph Parker upset Wilder in December.
Joshua is expected to promote the Ngannou fight during a news conference scheduled for Jan. 15 in London. You can expect Joshua and Ngannou to have much respect for each other.
