The heavyweight boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou is officially scheduled for March 8 in Riyadh. This event emerged after a series of intriguing developments in the boxing world towards the end of 2023.
Initially, Anthony Joshua was gearing up for a bout with Deontay Wilder. Joshua did his part by triumphing over Otto Wallin within five rounds. However, the scenario changed when Deontay Wilder faced a decisive defeat on points to Joseph Parker. This outcome led to the cancellation of the planned match between Joshua and Wilder on March 9.
Instead, an exciting new matchup has been set. Anthony Joshua will now face the formidable former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou. Interest in this crossover fight spiked after Ngannou’s impressive performance against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. In their October clash, Ngannou managed to knock Fury down, although he ultimately lost the fight on points.
To accommodate this big event, the organizers moved the fight date to Friday, March 8, a day earlier than initially planned. This adjustment was made to prevent any scheduling conflicts with the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, also set for that weekend.
Adding to the excitement, the co-main event features Joseph Parker squaring off against Zhilei Zhang in what is anticipated as an interim WBA heavyweight title fight.
Moreover, the card is packed with other significant matches. Notably, WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas is set to defend his title against the mandatory challenger Nick Ball. In the lightweight category, fans can look forward to a thrilling contest between Gavin Gwynne and the still-unbeaten Mark Chamberlain.
The event promises a full lineup, with several other fighters including the undefeated Australian heavyweight Justis Huni set to showcase their skills.