(Reuters) – A boxing bout between former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is set to take place in Saudi Arabia, according to organizers.
Joshua had originally planned to face ex-WBC champion Deontay Wilder in Riyadh on Dec. 23 if they both emerged victorious on the same fight night.
However, Wilder suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of New Zealand’s Joseph Parker last month, while Joshua secured a knockout win over Otto Wallin later that night.
“Tonight we confirm it’s a Done Deal,” said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn in a post on social medial platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – press conference Jan 15 in London with full details dropping soon!”
ESPN reported that the fight is scheduled to take place in early March, several weeks after WBC world champion Tyson Fury faces WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
Ngannou, who left the UFC after a contract dispute and made his pro boxing debut against Fury in October, almost pulled off an upset when he dropped Fury to the canvas with a left hook in a non-title fight.
After his loss to Fury, Ngannou was ranked number 10 in the heavyweight division by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by William Mallard)
