Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou Made Official For March 8

We have an official blockbuster heavyweight battle on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Earlier today, it was formally announced that former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The event is titled “Knockout Chaos,” and the hope is that the title of the event will deliver on fight night.

This was a predictable move for Joshua after Deontay Wilder lost to Joseph Parker in December, which ruined the plans for Joshua vs. Wilder on March 8. Instead, we get Joshua facing Ngannou, who gave WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury all he could handle in September and came close to beating Fury on the scorecards.

This is an interesting matchup, as Joshua cannot afford to be embarrassed by Ngannou as Fury was last year. Joshua is staying busy, which bodes well for him, and if he can match his activity from last year, then there is a chance he could fight for the IBF title against Filip Hrgovic later this year. Until then, we have this fight card with an exciting co-main as interim WBO heavyweight champion Zhilei Zhang faces Joseph Parker. Those two fights alone will justify paying the cost for this PPV, which has not been disclosed as of yet.

Here are some quotes from today’s press conference.

H.E. Alalshikh states that: “‘Knockout Chaos’ is one of the most important events to take place in Riyadh Season so far this year, an occasion which will bring together yet more international champions from one of the most popular sports in the world.”

“I will be ready to go once the first bell rings.” Insists the two-time former unified World Champion Joshua “ I will approach this mission with laser focus until the job is complete. I am looking forward to returning to Riyadh and I would like to thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the passion they have shown to myself and the sport of boxing.”

Ngannou pledges to continue silencing the doubters when he takes to the ring for his second professional fight.

“People have always doubted me and I always proved them wrong,” said the Cameroon-born star. ‘It is clear I am a trouble for elite boxers and AJ should prepare himself for a battle because I am like nothing he has ever faced. It is going to be another spectacle for boxing fans in Riyadh, only this time I have no intention of leaving it in the hands of the judges.”

Hall of Fame Promoter and Founder of Queensberry Promotions Frank Warren, added: “Friday 8 March in Riyadh will be another monumental event for the sport of boxing made possible by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and his team, with who we have established a brilliantly productive working relationship. Riyadh Season has opened up new and thrilling frontiers for our great sport and, in Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou, we have a further Heavyweight blockbuster that will surely capture the imagination of fans right across the world.”

Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport and Joshua’s long time Promoter said: “This is undoubtedly one of the biggest fights in boxing and I am grateful His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh shares that view. We’re talking about two giants in Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou, two men who look like they are carved out of stone, two devastating punchers. We are ready for another huge event in Saudi Arabia and a night full of drama. After AJ’s demolition of Otto Wallin he steps up against the former MMA Lineal champ. Francis has already proved his credentials in a thriller with Tyson Fury and comes into this clash full of confidence and fire. This is one of the biggest fights in the sport and one that can be over in the blink of an eye. When these two meet in Riyadh one thing is for sure… it will be Knockout Chaos!”

Abraham Gonzalez

Abraham Gonzalez is the founder of FightsATW. His journalistic work has been published and used across several platforms to include online, network TV and promotional companies. He is an American Public University alumnus and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). Abraham was the Managing Editor for NYFights, Big Fight Weekend, contributed to FanSidedMMA and ProBoxTV.

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