According to reports, Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will make enormous sums of money for their fight in Saudi Arabia.
Here’s your 🗓️ reminder @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/afpz0XyWTJ
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) March 2, 2024
On March 8, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Joshua and Ngannou will square off in a highly anticipated heavyweight match.
It happens after Joshua’s fight against Deontay Wilder was shelved after he lost to Parker on the “Day of Reckoning” card.
Instead, “AJ” will take on the former UFC heavyweight champion in March after giving Tyson Fury a scare during their showdown last year.
Before dropping the WBC heavyweight title, he was unsuccessful in a contentious judges’ scorecard decision.
“The Predator” earned more than $10 million (£8 million) in his previous fight versus Fury, and according to a Sports Business Journal article, he should make over $20 million (£16 million) this time around.
Joshua, on the other hand, is predicted to earn “double that figure,” or about $40 million (£31 million).
Promoter Eddie Hearn collaborated with Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh to arrange Joshua vs. Ngannou because Alalshikh is confident his guy will prevail via knockout.
“Very happy, it was a fantastic battle,” Hearn said to Ariel Helwani.
“I think he deserves that opportunity, or at least to keep going at that caliber. I also like the battle.
You’ve heard me say it before, but I genuinely think AJ takes him out. However, he is a risky opponent. I am aware that this man is a huge, powerful puncher, and I believe that his lack of fear makes him dangerous.
“However, I think AJ’s in a great place right now, and I expect him to take him out one by one.”
Joshua had a fantastic 2023, recording three straight victories over Otto Wallin, Robert Helenius, and Jermaine Franklin after consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Meanwhile, Ngannou, who made his boxing debut against Fury after quitting the UFC, will be making his second venture into the sport.