British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua is set to face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia. Matchroom and Queensberry announced this on Friday, confirming the fight to be held in Riyadh in March.
The specific fight date will be confirmed next week, with a scheduled press conference on January 15 in London.
Daily Mail reported the initial plan for Joshua vs Wilder bout in March, but it seems the clash between AJ and Ngannou will likely replace this proposed fight.
AJ expressed interest in fighting Ngannou after the former UFC star entered the WBC’s top 10 heavyweight rankings following his debut boxing match.
Ngannou surprised many in his boxing debut against Tyson Fury last October.
While Joshua secured a dominant five-round win over Otto Wallin on December 23, hopes of a showdown with Deontay Wilder dwindled after Wilder’s loss to Joseph Parker on the same card.
Joshua continues his pursuit to reclaim the top spot in the heavyweight division.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou knocked down Tyson Fury in his first professional boxing bout last October, although the latter still won a split decision, and is now ranked in the WBC’s top 10 of heavyweight contenders.
Speaking after his impressive win against Wallin, Joshua declared: “I’m down to fight anyone. Whenever and whoever.Saudi Arabia will again stage a major heavyweight fight, just weeks after Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed world title fight on February 17.
