Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou set for Saudi Arabia showdown, Eddie Hearn confirms - 'It's a done deal'

Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will clash in Saudi Arabia in what will be a mouth-watering clash between two heavyweights. Joshua has momentum after three wins from three last year, while former UFC champion Ngannou came desperately close to shocking Tyson Fury. Hearn said a press conference will be held on January 15 in London to discuss the fight.

Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will meet in a mouth-watering heavyweight clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Eddie Hearn has confirmed.

Former two-time unified world heavyweight champion Joshua is rebuilding his career after three wins in 2023, the latest coming in a fifth-round stoppage over Otto Wallin at ‘Day of Reckoning', while Ngannou came agonisingly close to defeating WBC champion Tyson Fury after flooring the 'Gypsy King'.

"Tonight we confirm it’s a done deal," Hearn wrote.

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"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!"

Joshua ends year in style with convincing win over Wallin

Ngannou comes off the back of his highly impressive boxing debut against Fury, where he controversially lost via split decision in Saudi Arabia back in October, having knocked down the WBC Heavyweight champion in the fourth round of their fight.

The announcement may come as a surprise to boxing fans, who were expecting Joshua to face Deontay Wilder after both men headlined the most recent ‘Day of Reckoning’ card on December 23 on TNT Sports, but after Wilder’s shock defeat by Joseph Parker, Joshua will now face Ngannou instead.

The bout is reported to be 10 rounds, but the date is yet to be revealed.

2023 was a fantastic year for Joshua, as he strung three consecutive wins together to overcome his double defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2022.

The Brit started with an unconvincing points win over Jermaine Franklin in April, before he knocked out Robert Helenius in August. He capped off the year with a fifth-round TKO stoppage against Wallin.

Ngannou signed a deal with new MMA promotion the Professional Fighters’ League (PFL) back in May, but has not fought in the cage since, instead taking up boxing, challenging Fury, and now Joshua.

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