Opponent title, date, combat location and extra revealed right here 

After a formidable skilled boxing debut, Francis Ngannou will return to the ring in one other high-profile bout.

As a close to +800 underdog in opposition to Tyson Fury in his final combat, Ngannou unanimously had the best boxing debut of all time that resulted in a loss. Now, the previous UFC heavyweight champion strikes ahead with one other main combat.

Introduced on Jan. 5, Ngannou will face former WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

The combat announcement comes with little shock as many anticipated ‘The Predator’ to proceed in his boxing profession after almost upsetting Fury. Many rumors concerning his subsequent combat surrounded a possible matchup with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, although these talks diminished after ‘The Bronze Bomber’s’ listless efficiency in opposition to Joseph Parker.

Per the official launch, Ngannou and Joshua can be competing in a 10-round primary occasion on pay-per-view in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 8 or 9. MMA reporter Ariel Helwani additionally reported that an official press convention will happen in London in a few weeks to make a proper announcement.

As of Jan. 6, the precise venue has not been launched. It’s also unknown the place the combat can be out there for pay-per-view buy, although each heavyweights final competed on DAZN PPV.

Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua preview

With Francis Ngannou‘s subsequent boxing combat now official, followers are excited to see ‘The Predator’ return to the squared circle.

Each heavyweights competed on the finish of 2023 in two of the largest boxing playing cards of the yr. Ngannou would lose a barely controversial cut up determination to Tyson Fury within the ‘Battle of the Baddest’. On the identical time, Joshua defeated Otto Wallin in the principle occasion of ‘The Day of Reckoning.’

Each occasions passed off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the place the 2 energy punchers will meet within the ring.

Simply sooner or later after the combat announcement, opening odds had been launched with Joshua as a heavy betting favourite. Nonetheless, the percentages are nonetheless a lot nearer than the ultimate traces for Fury vs. Ngannou.

Regardless of being 0-1 as knowledgeable, Ngannou is already ranked because the Tenth-best heavyweight on the earth by the WBC. With a win on this combat, both man might discover themself as the following title challenger for the winner of the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr unification bout on Feb. 17.