Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou, Boxing
Nasir Jabbar
Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou are reportedly set to earn monstrous purses for their Saudi Arabia showdown.
The blockbuster heavyweight fight between Joshua and Ngannou is set for March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It comes after Joshua's proposed bout against Deontay Wilder collapsed following his defeat to Joseph Parker on the 'Day of Reckoning' card.
The former UFC heavyweight champion will instead face 'AJ' in March, having given Tyson Fury a scare in their fight last year.
He dropped the WBC world heavyweight champion before losing a controversial decision on the judges' scorecard.
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'The Predator' made over $10 million (£8 million) against Fury, with a report from the Sports Business Journal claiming he is expected to earn around the $20 million (£16 million) mark this time around.
As for Joshua, he's expected to make 'double that figure' meaning he could bank around $40 million (£31 million).
Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh worked with promoter Eddie Hearn to make Joshua vs. Ngannou as he believes his man will win by knockout.
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"Obviously delighted, just a great fight," Hearn told Ariel Helwani.
"I feel like he’s earned that shot - or certainly to continue at that level. And I fancy the fight.
"You’ve heard me say before, I really believe AJ knocks him out. But he’s a dangerous fight. I know that this guy’s a big, big lump that can really punch, and I think he has no fear, which makes him dangerous.
"But I just feel like AJ’s in a great place, and I expect him to pick him apart and knock him out."
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Joshua enjoyed a stellar 2023 as he registered three consecutive wins over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Ngannou, meanwhile, will have his second foray in the world of boxing, having made his debut against Fury after walking away from the UFC.