For Joshua, this fight is a chance at redemption. After losing his titles, he’s clawed his way back with three consecutive wins, his hunger for reclaiming his throne evident. But Ngannou stands in his way, a fighter who shook the core of the boxing world by dropping Tyson Fury, the undisputed champion, in his professional boxing debut.
Can Joshua recapture his glory, or will Ngannou spark a revolution in the heavyweight division? Tune in on Friday, March 8th to witness this epic showdown.
The fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will be broadcast live on pay-per-view. Here is everything you need to know about this epic showdown, from the stakes, the press conference, the fight card, the fighters, and the prediction.
What’s On the Line in Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou Bout?
The immense financial rewards on the table underscore the high stakes of this fight. More than just a paycheck, victory here would propel either fighter to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division, granting them the prestige and recognition detailed in the following section.
Prestige
Both fighters have a lot to prove in this fight, as they aim to establish themselves as the dominant forces in the heavyweight division. Joshua, who once held the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles, wants to cement his legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time, by defeating a formidable and dangerous opponent from a different sport.
Ngannou, who vacated his UFC title to pursue a career in professional boxing, wants to shock the world and make history, by becoming the first MMA fighter to win a boxing world title. Both fighters have impressive records, with Joshua having 27 wins and 3 losses, and Ngannou having 18 wins and 4 losses, in their respective sports.
Amazingly, the two also have a reputation for being knockout artists, with Joshua having 24 knockouts and Ngannou having 12 knockouts, in their careers. This fight will be a test of their skills, power, and will, as they face each other in the chaos of the ring.
Money
This fight is also expected to generate a huge amount of money, for both the fighters and the promoters. According to various sources, the fight is projected to sell over 2 million pay-per-view buys, and generate over $200 million in revenue. The fighters are reportedly guaranteed a purse of $50 million each, with a 50-50 split of the pay-per-view revenue.
This means that both fighters could earn over $100 million from this fight, making it one of the most lucrative fights in boxing history. The fight is also sponsored by several major brands, such as Nike, Monster Energy, and DAZN, who will pay millions of dollars for the exposure and publicity.
Future Opportunities
This fight could also open up many future opportunities for both fighters, depending on the outcome. For Joshua, a victory could lead to a unification bout with Tyson Fury, the WBC and lineal heavyweight champion, who is widely regarded as the best boxer in the division.
This would be a historic fight, as it would crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
For Ngannou, a victory could lead to a rematch with Tyson Fury, who defeated him by a controversial split decision in his boxing debut in 2023. This would be a chance for Ngannou to avenge his loss and prove that he belongs in the elite level of boxing.
Alternatively, both fighters could also explore other options, such as facing other top contenders, switching weight classes, or returning to their original sports.
Francis Ngannou vs Anthony Joshua Final Press Conference
In the final press conference leading up to the epic showdown between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou, tensions reached a boiling point. The air crackled with intensity as the two fighters faced off verbally. Joshua, eloquent and composed, vowed redemption and emphasized his technical prowess. Ngannou, more reserved but simmering with intensity, promised chaos and let his fists do the talking. Their clash of words and glares left no doubt: the “Knockout Chaos” awaited us in the ring.
Here you go with the highlights of what Francis Ngannou had to say on the event:
“He will be the best so far, but I’m just getting started,” said Ngannou. “I’m looking for the victory on Friday, I don’t think it will be a statement because the road is still long.
“I want one more over Tyson, because I had the first one over him and I intend to have a second!”
In fact, Fury was in the attendance too, and it looked like what he did and said there tickled Ngannou somewhat wrongly. Addressing Fury, he said:
“I’m going to wipe the ring with your a*** again – there was blood in the ring!”
“Your only chance is in the boxing ring with boxing rules, when you step out the ring you better stay five metres away because if I lose it, you’ll have a really bad time my friend.
“Respect the fact boxing rules are protecting you, because you are nothing in front of me. I’ll beat you every day, twice on Sunday!”
Unfazed, Joshua observed the commotion, one AirPod in his ear. He’s maintained this laser-focused calm all fight week, and even the past two. He knew exactly what he wanted to say:
“All will be revealed,” he said with a smile. “Straight up war, relentlessness, good fight, stay tuned.”
“The best man will always win, one of the main things I’ll look forward to is showing how good I am,” he later added.
Joshua vs Ngannou Fight Card
Going through the list of fights on the card immediately clarifies why the bout is labelled “Knockout Chaos”.
- Main Event: Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou (Heavyweight)
- Co-main Event: Zhilei Zhang (C) vs Joseph Parker (WBO Interim Heavyweight Title)
- Rey Vargas (C) vs Nick Ball (WBC Featherweight Title)
- Israel Madrimov vs Magomed Kurbanov (Vacant WBA Super-welterweight Title)
- Gavin Gwynne vs Mark Chamberlain (Lightweight)
- Justis Huni vs Kevin Lerena (Heavyweight)
- Jack McGann vs Louis Greene (Super-welterweight)
- Roman Fury vs Martin Svarc (Cruiserweight)
- Ziyad Almaayouf vs Christian Loopes Flores (Super lightweight)
- Andrii Novytskyi vs. Juan Torres (Heavyweight)
Who is Anthony Joshua?
Once hailed as a heavyweight prodigy, Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) boasts an impressive career despite falling short of some inflated expectations.
Turning pro in 2013, Joshua racked up early wins against lesser opponents. His defining moment came in 2017 when he dethroned Wladimir Klitschko, becoming WBA champion.
June 2019 saw a shocking upset as Joshua was stopped by Andy Ruiz Jr. He regained his titles in a rematch but his aura as an invincible star was diminished.
Two losses to Usyk, though one by close split decision, cost Joshua his major titles. He’s since rebuilt with three wins against past-their-prime contenders.
Who is Francis Ngannou?
Once a UFC superstar and renowned as MMA’s hardest hitter (17-3 MMA), Ngannou (37) left the promotion after a title defense win over Ciryl Gane in 2022 due to disputes over pay and marketing.
Ngannou signed with PFL but hasn’t fought there yet. His first fight post-UFC was a boxing match against Fury, who offered him a chance to showcase his skills and earn a big payday.
Underdog Ngannou surprised everyone with his superb performance against the boxing champion Fury. His unique style troubled Fury, and a powerful left hook in round 3 dropped Fury, leaving the outcome uncertain.
Though Fury won by decision, Ngannou gained boxing’s respect, leading to numerous fight offers, including the upcoming clash with Joshua.
Joshua vs Ngannou Prediction and Comparison
This fight has the potential to be explosive! Both fighters bring unique strengths and weaknesses to the table.
Anthony Joshua’s Advantages
Experience: AJ has more professional boxing experience than Ngannou, who is relatively new to the sport.
Technical Skills: Joshua is known for his powerful jab and ability to fight from a distance, potentially keeping Ngannou’s devastating power at bay.
Defence: While not elite, Joshua has shown the ability to win fights from the outside, potentially mitigating the risk of getting caught in a brawl with Ngannou.
Francis Ngannou’s Advantages
Raw Power: Ngannou is widely considered the hardest puncher in heavyweight history, and his single punch can potentially knock out any opponent, including Joshua.
Momentum: Ngannou stunned the boxing world by pushing Fury, the reigning champion, to a close decision and even dropping him with a punch. This win has boosted his confidence and made him a legitimate contender.
X-Factors
Can Joshua overcome the mental roadblocks he’s faced after suffering losses, especially against Usyk? Regaining his confidence and killer instinct will be crucial for his success.
Will Fury’s poor performance against Ngannou inflate Ngannou’s true potential, or will a well-prepared Joshua expose him? This uncertainty adds intrigue to the fight.
Joshua vs Ngannou Prediction
This is a close fight to call. While Joshua has the edge in experience and technical skills, Ngannou’s raw power and momentum make him a serious threat. Ultimately, the outcome may depend on which fighter can impose their game plan and exploit the other’s weaknesses.
However, if Joshua can maintain his distance, utilize his jab effectively, and avoid getting into a close-range brawl, he might have a slight edge to win on points. On the other hand, if Ngannou lands one clean punch, it could be lights out for AJ.
Conclusion
The stage is set for an epic clash between two titans. Anthony Joshua, the experienced boxer with a point to prove, and Francis Ngannou, the MMA powerhouse with knockout power in his fists. Both fighters have their strengths and weaknesses, making the outcome difficult to predict.
Can Joshua’s experience and technical skills keep Ngannou’s raw power at bay? Or will Ngannou’s momentum and surprising performance against Fury lead him to victory? Tune in on Friday, March 8th to find out who will reign supreme in “Knockout Chaos!”
