Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the showdown between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou is set to take place in Saudi Arabia, stating, “It’s a done deal.”
The highly anticipated fight between two heavyweights, Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou, is set to take place in Saudi Arabia, according to Eddie Hearn. Following three victories out of three in the previous year, Joshua is riding high, while former UFC champion Ngannou came perilously close to upsetting Tyson Fury. Hearn announced that a press conference to publicize the fight will take place in London on January 15.
Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will square off in a tantalizing heavyweight fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 24hscore
After three victories in 2023—the most recent being a fifth-round knockout over Otto Wallin at “Day of Reckoning”—former two-time unified world heavyweight champion Joshua is rebuilding his career, while Ngannou came dangerously near to challenging WBC champion Tyson Fury after flooring the “Gypsy King.”
He wrote, “Tonight we confirm it’s a done deal.”
“Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – press conference Jan. 15 in London with full details dropping soon!”
Ngannou is coming off a very successful boxing debut against Fury, which he controversially lost by split decision in October after fury knocked him out in the fourth round of their bout in Saudi Arabia.
Boxing fans may be surprised by the revelation as they were expecting Joshua to take on Deontay Wilder following the two men’s headline appearance on the most recent “Day of Reckoning” card on December 23 on TNT Sports. However, following Wilder’s shocking loss to Joseph Parker, Joshua will now take on Ngannou.
Although the date has not yet been disclosed, the fight is expected to go ten rounds.
Joshua had a great year in 2023 after overcoming his double loss to Oleksandr Usyk in 2022 with three straight victories.
The Britishman began with a clear points victory over Jermaine Franklin in April, then in August, he defeated Robert Helenius. He finished the year by stopping Wallin via TKO in the fifth round.
In May, Ngannou inked a contract with the Professional Fighters’ League (PFL), a new mixed martial arts promoter. Since then, he has given up cage fights to focus on boxing, challenging both Fury and Joshua.