Brit Anthony Joshua will reportedly take on former UFC world champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia later this year.
According to combat insider Ariel Helwani, the two will square off in Riyadh in a 10-round boxing contest, expected to be announced in London later this month.
Joshua had been originally slated to face Deontay Wilder after his knockout finish of Swede Otto Wallin in Riyadh in December.
But on the same card, Kiwi Joseph Parker spoiled the party with a comprehensive shut-out win over Wilder, which ultimately took the long-awaited clash between Joshua and the American off the table.
The original bout between Wilder and Joshua had been slated for March, suggesting the same timeframe may apply for the Englishman's clash with Ngannou.
Former UFC heavyweight king Ngannou impressed in his professional boxing debut in October, pushing Tyson Fury to the limit before losing a razor-close split decision to the WBC champ.
The bout was the Cameroon native's first since his split with the UFC over a pay dispute. He's since signed with rival promotion Professional Fighters League to a non-exclusive deal.
After losing his WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles to Oleksandr Usyk in 2020 and 2021, Joshua has showed signs he's returning to his best – reeling off three consecutive wins, most recently forcing a corner stoppage against Wallin.
More to come
Brit Anthony Joshua will reportedly take on former UFC world champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia later this year.
According to combat insider Ariel Helwani, the two will square off in Riyadh in a 10-round boxing contest, expected to be announced in London later this month.
Joshua had been originally slated to face Deontay Wilder after his knockout finish of Swede Otto Wallin in Riyadh in December.
But on the same card, Kiwi Joseph Parker spoiled the party with a comprehensive shut-out win over Wilder, which ultimately took the long-awaited clash between Joshua and the American off the table.
The original bout between Wilder and Joshua had been slated for March, suggesting the same timeframe may apply for the Englishman's clash with Ngannou.
Former UFC heavyweight king Ngannou impressed in his professional boxing debut in October, pushing Tyson Fury to the limit before losing a razor-close split decision to the WBC champ.
The bout was the Cameroon native's first since his split with the UFC over a pay dispute. He's since signed with rival promotion Professional Fighters League to a non-exclusive deal.
After losing his WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles to Oleksandr Usyk in 2020 and 2021, Joshua has showed signs he's returning to his best – reeling off three consecutive wins, most recently forcing a corner stoppage against Wallin.
More to come
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