Anthony Joshua to face former UFC star Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia

Joshua, 33, is a former two-time world heavyweight champion who has a record of 26 wins and 2 losses. He last fought in December 2023, when he knocked out Otto Wallin in the fifth round in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

Joshua is widely regarded as one of the best boxers of his generation, with notable victories over Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin, and Andy Ruiz Jr. Ngannou, 36, is a former UFC heavyweight champion who has a record of 18 wins and 4 losses in mixed martial arts.

 He left the UFC in January 2024 and signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), a rival promotion that allows him to box on the side. Ngannou made his professional boxing debut in October 2023, when he lost a close split decision to Tyson Fury, the current WBC heavyweight champion, in Riyadh. Ngannou is known for his devastating power and knockout ability, having finished 14 of his 18 MMA wins by knockout. 

Read more: UFC 2023 highlights | Match Highlights

 The fight between Joshua and Ngannou is expected to be a blockbuster event, as both fighters have huge fan bases and global appeal. The fight will also be a clash of styles, as Joshua is a skilled and technical boxer, while Ngannou is a raw and explosive puncher. Many boxing fans and experts are curious to see how Ngannou will fare against Joshua, who has more experience and versatility in the ring. 

 Hearn said that the fight will be broadcasted on DAZN, a streaming platform that has exclusive rights to Joshua's fights. He also said that the fight will be held at the King Fahd International Stadium, which has a capacity of 68,000 spectators. Hearn said that he expects a sell-out crowd and a huge pay-per-view revenue for the fight. "This is a fight that the whole world wants to see," Hearn said. "Anthony Joshua is a legend of the sport, and Francis Ngannou is a phenomenon of nature. 

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They are both warriors who are willing to take on any challenge. This is a historic event for the sport of boxing, and we are proud to bring it to Saudi Arabia, where we have had great success in the past. This is a fight that you don't want to miss."