Anthony Joshua to Face Francis Ngannou in Heavyweight Boxing Showdown in Saudi Arabia

By Iyojo Ameh

Former world heavyweight champion and Nigerian-British boxer, Anthony Joshua, is gearing up to clash with Francis Ngannou in a highly anticipated heavyweight boxing match set to take place in Saudi Arabia tonight.

The eagerly awaited showdown between the two powerhouses promises to be a spectacle, with massive prize money and fight purses at stake.

The event is orchestrated by Turki Alalshikh, the head of Saudi’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), who is spearheading efforts to establish Saudi Arabia as a premier destination for boxing.

According to reports, Joshua stands to pocket an impressive $50 million [£39 million] from the bout, excluding pay-per-view sales, underscoring the financial magnitude of the event.

This marks Ngannou’s second foray into boxing, and his formidable presence in the ring poses a formidable challenge for Joshua, who is competing for the fourth time in less than a year.

The involvement of Saudi Arabia in hosting marquee boxing matches has resulted in substantial financial rewards for fighters of Joshua’s caliber, highlighting the burgeoning commercialization of the sport.

However, amidst the lucrative incentives, the focus remains on the anticipated action inside the ring.

The bout is scheduled to take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia.

The undercard is slated to commence at 11:00 a.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. GMT, with the main event ring walk expected at 6:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 p.m. GMT.