The heavyweight division is set to start the year with a bang, with former champion Anthony Joshua taking on former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in the main event over 10 rounds called ‘Knockout Chaos’.
Joshua concluded the year with a stoppage win over Otto Wallin in Riyadh. At the same event event, Joseph Parker shockingly defeated Deontay Wilder, ruining plans for a fight between Joshua and the American.
Joshua vs Ngannou start time
- Date: Friday, March 8
- Location: Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Start Time: The event kicks off at 4:00 PM on Sky Sports Box Office (Sky channel 491) and Sky Sports Box Office HD (Sky channel 492).
- PPV LIVE: WATCH ON FITEPASS
Note that these timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
It’s an important fight for both men, with Joshua looking to set up a huge 2024 in which he hopes to become world champion again, while his Cameroonian opponent would want to build on his first professional fight against Fury.
In the co-main event, champion Zhilei Zhang (26-1-1) goes for his second defence of the interim WBO title against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker (34-3).
The Chinese giant is coming off scoring back-to-back knockout wins over James Joyce, while Parker is back following his impressive victory over Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia in December.
Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou Prize Money:
As expected, both Ngannou and AJ are going to make millions from this fight. Reports suggest that the Cameroonian will get approx £16 million, making this fight the most lucrative of his career by a distance and double what he earned against Fury.
Meanwhile, this is also set to be one of Anthony’s most lucrative fights. According to reports by Sports Business Journal, Joshua will earn nearly £31 million.
However, keep in mind that these amounts don’t include any PPV money or fees for winning or lasting the full distance, etc.
Where is the Joshua vs Ngannou Fight?
The much-anticipated fight will take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
How to watch Anthony Joshua Live Stream Vs Francis Ngannou
The much-anticipated fight card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe (excluding Russia, Belarus, and China).
However, if you’re in Argentina, Chile, or Colombia, you must download the DAZN app from the App Store or Play Store and then sign up from there rather than via a web browser.
DAZN Subscription Charges:
In the United States: $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month / $224.99 per year
In Canada: $24.99 per month / $199.99 per year
In the United Kingdom: £9.99 on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month / £99.99 per year
In Australia: 13.99 AUD per month
How to watch Joshua vs Ngannou in the United States:
In the United States, the Joshua vs Ngannou fight card will cost $69.99.
Editor’s Choice:
Alternatively, you can watch the highly anticipated fight card through ‘FITEPASS.COM‘, another reliable streaming service, for only $29.99 or $19.99 (depends on country). Another good about this service is that there are no hidden or automatic charges.
Tale of the tapes
Francis Ngannou Bio and Record
* Nationality: Cameroonian
* Date of birth: September 5, 1986
* Height: 6′ 4″
* Reach: N/A
* Total fights: 1
* Record: 0-1
Ngannou made his boxing bow against WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury last year in a fight where he was seen as a rank outsider and shocked the world with a solid showing.
While he didn’t get the win, his strong display led to a demand for him to return to the boxing ring against another former world champion in what will be only his second-ever professional boxing bout.
Anthony Joshua Bio and Record
* Nationality: British
* Date of birth: October 15, 1989
* Height: 6′ 6″
* Reach: 82″
* Total fights: 30
* Record: 27-3 (24 KOs)
The 34-year-old Joshua is a boxing reality. He ended 2023 with one of the most impressive wins of his career over Otto Wallin. He is currently on a three-fight win streak and now comes up against an opponent who could provide a stern test.
Joshua vs Ngannou: What has been said?
“I believe I can knock him out,” Joshua told Sky Sports.
“Definitely. I would love to knock him out and make a statement. Physically, I feel strong, feeling good. Strong enough to get the job done, and mentally, I’m in a place where I’m ready for war. I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“Mentally, I don’t worry so much about my opponent and look at what my opponent can bring to me and think, ‘how can I overcome these challenges they present?’ I work really hard to up my game and look forward to showing everything I’ve worked on.”
On the other hand, Ngannou said:
“Of course, I think I can beat him. I called for the fight. I am here to beat him, and that’s why I came over here.”
“I’ve been calling for these kind of fights for four years. I’m not here to show up, I am here to take over. It might sound crazy. It might sound irrational. But that’s what I am committed to, and that is what I want.”
Joshua vs Ngannou: Undercard Fights
Joshua v Ngannou is not the only intriguing heavyweight fight on the card. There are three other fights with either a full title or interim strap up for grabs tonight.
Rey Vargas (36-1) would be defending his WBC featherweight title against Britain’s unbeaten Nick Ball (19-0). Israil Madrimov will take on Magomed Kubranov with the vacant WBA junior middleweight title at stake.
The preliminary card also features Roman Fury (3-0), the half-brother of Tyson Fury, looking to maintain his unbeaten status when he takes on Martin Svarc (2-0).
Joshua vs. Ngannou Undercard
* Zhilei Zhang (C) vs Joseph Parker (WBO interim heavyweight title)
* Rey Vargas (C) vs Nick Ball (WBC featherweight title)
* Israel Madrimov vs Magomed Kurbanov (vacant WBA super-welterweight title)
* Gavin Gwynne vs Mark Chamberlain (lightweight)
* Justis Huni vs Kevin Lerena (heavyweight)
* Mark Chamberlain vs Gavin Gwynne (lightweight)
* Jack McGann vs Louis Greene (super-welterweight)
* Roman Fury vs Martin Svarc (cruiserweight)
* Ziyad Almaayouf vs Christian Lopez Flores (super-lightweight)
* Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres (heavyweight)
