Francis Ngannou will be boxing again.
According to Ariel Helwani, Ngannou will fight Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia "later this year." Helwani did not reveal the official date but said a press conference in London next month is scheduled to reveal the date. MMA Junkie later confirmed the date as March 9.
It will be a 10 round fight.
Breaking:
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 5, 2024
Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua is a done deal, per @Turki_alalshikh.
Ten-round boxing match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
More: pic.twitter.com/e6Hsc6Fh70
This will be the second boxing fight for Ngannou who shocked the world last year when he fought Tyson Fury, and even knocked him down. Many felt he'd even won the fight and was "robbed" by the judges.
Making big moves in the new year ♟️
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) January 5, 2024
2024 is going to be 🔥🔥🔥
He'll fight another iconic heavyweight boxer. Joshua is coming off a fifth round TKO after his opponent, Otto Wallin, was unable to keep fighting.
The fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where both Joshua and Ngannou fought last.
Ngannou is the former UFC heavyweight champion who is currently signed with PFL, though he has not made his promotional debut, yet.
The fans on MMA Twitter loved the match-up for Ngannou.
Ain’t it amazing how it was basically a year ago that people were saying Francis Ngannou should sign his long-term, extremely restrictive contract, cash his forty grand or whatever in outfitting pay, and shut up. Now he’s set for a second extremely lucrative boxing match.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) January 5, 2024
Just so we’re keeping up, no bags were ever fumbled by Francis Ngannou.
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) January 5, 2024
Francis Ngannou stays winning.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) January 5, 2024
Let’s be honest, Ngannou makes perfect sense next for AJ
— Adam Catterall (@AdamCatterall) January 5, 2024
The element of surprise has gone.
AJ x Ben Davison looks good.
Go and do what Fury couldn’t.
Vacant IBF title v Hrgovic in the summer with the possibility of undisputed in December.
FrAnCiS nGaNnOu FuMbLeD tHe BaG pic.twitter.com/cKr9A4ysDz
— Jason Williams (@jasoneg33) January 5, 2024
Francis Ngannou fighting Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury before either has fought each other is hilarious.
— Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) January 5, 2024