Francis Ngannou launched his first assertion following the announcement of his blockbuster return to the boxing ring.
On Friday (January 5), famend fight sports activities journalist and The MMA Hour host, Ariel Helwani, broke the news that Ngannou would make his sophomore look contained in the squared circle this yr in opposition to former unified heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua.
The information comes lower than three months faraway from Ngannou’s sensational professional boxing debut in opposition to Tyson Fury in Riyadh.
“Large breaking information on this Friday night on this planet of fight sports activities,” Helwani stated. “I’ve confirmed by way of Mr. Turki Alalshikh that it’s a carried out deal. That it’s taking place. Francis Ngannou, the previous UFC heavyweight champion is returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia only a few months faraway from his unimaginable efficiency in opposition to Tyson Fury. After an unbelievable yr the place he leaves the UFC, indicators with the PFL, after which he will get the large Tyson battle and shocks everybody.
“He’s returning to motion in a boxing match in a while this yr to go up in opposition to the previous heavyweight champion. The person who had an unimaginable 2023 in his personal proper. The person who simply gained at Day of Depending on December 23 in Riyadh, the one and solely Anthony Joshua. It’s a carried out deal on each ends. Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou. 10-round battle in a while this yr in Riyadh.”
Francis Ngannou Able to Make ‘Huge Strikes’ in 2024
Regardless of arising quick in opposition to ‘The Gypsy King’ by way of break up determination, Ngannou’s critically acclaimed efficiency was robust sufficient to land him on the No. 10 spot of the WBC’s heavyweight prime ten.
Taking to social media shortly after the information broke, Ngannou shared his pleasure over what’s to come back writing: “Making large strikes within the new yr. 2024 goes to be [fire emoji].”
No official date has been introduced, however Helwani added {that a} press convention will go down in London later this month the place extra particulars concerning the extremely anticipated conflict might be revealed.
Anthony Joshua is coming off his third-straight win of 2023, incomes a dominant fifth-round knockout of Otto Wallin on the Day of Reckoning card in Saudi Arabia. Prior, he scored a unanimous determination victory over Jermaine Franklin adopted by a seventh-round KO in opposition to Robert Helenius, each emanating from the O2 Area.
Total, Joshua is 27-3 in his boxing profession with 24 of his wins coming by the use of knockout.
Trending Merchandise
