Here are the key details to know ahead of the highly anticipated Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou fight.
Arguably the biggest boxing match of 2024, Anthony Joshua is set to square off with the mixed martial arts fighter Francis Ngannou and here is what we know about the fight so far.
The Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou fight which was initially scheduled for Saturday, March 9, 2024, has been rescheduled for Friday, March 8, 2024.
Why is the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou fight now on Friday?
The highly anticipated fight between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou is scheduled to take place on Friday, 8 March. The fight was scheduled to coincide with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which is set to take place on Saturday, 9 March in Jeddah. This is a 10-round fight, and while the exact timings are not guaranteed, it is expected that the ring walks for Joshua v Ngannou will commence at approximately 23:00 GMT.
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The undercard includes Joseph Parker against Zhilei Zhang for the WBO interim heavyweight title while unbeaten Nick Ball, from Liverpool, takes on Rey Vargas for the WBC featherweight title.
According to BBC popular promoter Eddie Hearn has hinted that a victory for Anthony Joshua could elevate him towards a shot at the highly coveted undisputed world title. Currently, there’s a two-fight agreement for champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, set in Riyadh, where the winner will claim the first undisputed heavyweight champion title in the four-belt era.
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However, Hearn also believes that if Joshua triumphs over Ngannou, the clamour for a showdown between him and Fury will intensify. Alternatively, if Joshua emerges victorious, he might face Croatia’s top-ranked IBF fighter, Filip Hrgovic, for the vacant title. This fight presents a significant opportunity for Ngannou who is gradually warming his way into the hearts of boxing fans to make his mark in the boxing world. Commentator Bunce describes the matchup as a blend of Joshua’s boxing prowess and Ngannou’s raw fighting talent, creating the potential for an extraordinary spectacle.
