Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is set for another significant boxing match against two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua. The 10-round heavyweight bout is scheduled to take place on March 9th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The announcement was made by Saudi Arabia’s Entertainment Directorate Chairman Turki Alarusik, and it has been confirmed by MMA Junkie. A press conference to promote the fight is set for later this month in London.
Ngannou’s decision to leave the UFC and pursue a career in boxing earlier this year raised expectations of a high-profile fight, and he did not disappoint. He faced Tyson Fury in his professional boxing debut and, although he lost by split decision, his impressive performance and knockdown of Fury earned him widespread respect from the martial arts community.
Ngannou, 37, will now take on Joshua, who recently secured his third consecutive victory by defeating Otto Wallin on December 23. Out of Joshua’s 27 career wins, 24 have come by knockout.
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