Heavyweight Showdown Confirmed: Anthony Joshua To Face Francis Ngannou In Riyadh Spectacle

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has officially announced that the much-anticipated 10-round clash between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou is set to take place during Riyadh Season.

Initially slated to meet Deontay Wilder after his triumph over Otto Wallin on December 23, Joshua's plans shifted when Wilder suffered defeat to Joseph Parker, with the judges scoring the bout 118-111, 120-108, 120-108 in Parker's favor, leading to a breakdown in the initial agreement.

In an exciting turn of events, the new date for Joshua's bout against Ngannou has been confirmed for March 8, a slot initially reserved for the proposed Joshua vs. Wilder showdown.

Joshua, expressing his reaction, shared a photo on Instagram wrapping his hands, captioning it with a humorous nod: "Ahh s***, here we go again... 8/3/24."

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, there's a possibility of Wilder featuring on the event's undercard, potentially facing Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang. Like Wilder, Zhang earned a silver medal in the super-heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympics and has bolstered his professional career with notable victories, positioning himself as a title contender.

Ngannou, a former UFC star, climbed the ranks to the WBC's top 10 heavyweight after his debut boxing match. Despite entering the ring against Tyson Fury with little expectation, Ngannou's performance surprised many, knocking the WBC champion down in the third round, although ultimately losing by split decision. Controversy surrounded the outcome, with some claiming Ngannou had been 'robbed' to protect Fury's upcoming bout with Oleksandr Usyk.

While opinions were divided, Ngannou garnered immense respect, solidifying his standing as a formidable contender in the heavyweight division. Simultaneously, Joshua strengthened his quest to reclaim the top spot, showcasing his boxing prowess against Otto Wallin on the "Day of Reckoning," prompting Wallin's corner to halt the fight after five rounds.

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