Why Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou is being fought on unusual Friday date instead of Saturday

Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou will take place on a FRIDAY rather than a Saturday and here's why.

Joshua and Ngannou go head-to-head in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 8.

The British star is on a three-fight winning streak, beating Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.

He beat Wallin on the 'Day of Reckoning' card last year, delivering one of the best performances of his legendary career, earning a huge purse in the process.

As for Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion takes on 'AJ' having taken WBC title holder Tyson Fury the distance in their October bout last year.

Joshua vs. Ngannou goes down on a Friday instead of the usual Saturday slot.

That's because the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix will take place across the same weekend, with the race scheduled for Saturday, March 9.

Saudi authorities moved the massive heavyweight fight to a Friday, so it doesn't clash with the F1 on Saturday.

The race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is the second fixture of the F1 calendar for the 2024 season.

Separating the two shows means broadcasters and organisers can get the best out of both sporting events.

Joshua vs. Ngannou will take place at the Kingdom Arena the night before the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

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— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 27, 2024

There's plenty riding on Joshua vs. Ngannou as the winner could be in line to face the winner of the blockbuster undisputed showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

On Ariel Helwani's The MMA Hour, promoter Eddie Hearn said: "His Excellency said the winner of this fight faces the winner of Fury-Usyk.

"That is a dream chance for us because we chased that for so long.

"AJ is going to beat Francis Ngannou, and then he’s going to beat the winner of Fury-Usyk, and he’s going to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion."