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Boxing fans got amazing news in early January 2024 when fight promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that Francis Ngannou will handle Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight boxing match.
Their face-off will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, March 8. It will last 10 rounds.
The centerpiece in between Joshua and Ngannou will start around 6:20 p.m. ET on Friday. The occasion can be streamed by means of PPV on the streaming service DAZN.
Fight Background
Ngannou, called “The Predator,” is a previous UFC heavyweight champ who left the UFC in 2023 to pursue boxing. Ngannou never ever lost his UFC heavyweight belt.
He lost his very first boxing match to Tyson Fury by split choice in Riyadh last October, holding his own against “The Gypsy King” regardless of being a +1100 underdog.
He knocked Fury down in the 3rd round.
It was an appealing start to Ngannou’s boxing profession after turning down a deal from the UFC that might have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in the promo’s history.
Now, the 37-year-old Cameroonian go back to Riyadh to develop on his launching and show he belongs.
That won’t be simple against Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champ 2 inches taller than Ngannou. The 34-year-old British star is coming off 3 straight wins, most just recently removing Otto Wallin by TKO in 5 rounds on Dec. 23.
Joshua was at first anticipated to deal with competing Deontay Wilder in March, however that match broke down after Joseph Parker upset Wilder in December.
Of Joshua’s 27 profession success, 24 have actually come over knockout. He’s just lost 3 battles.
Who is Favored in Joshua vs. Ngannou?
Ngannou opened as a significant underdog with +470 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, while Joshua opened a -550 favorite.
Bettors obviously liked the worth on Ngannou, as by mid-February Joshua had actually tightened up to a -470 preferred, with Ngannou at +380.
On fight day, BetMGM Sportsbook had Joshua as a -300 preferred with 53% of the deal with. Ngannou was +240.
A draw had +2500 odds.
Despite the reasonably uneven odds, Ngannou has more regard from oddsmakers after his strong proving against Fury.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
