A fight between former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and former MMA champion Francis Ngannou is a done deal. The bout will be a ten round boxing match taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight was confirmed on the social media feeds of his Excellency Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. There will be a press conference in London to officially announce the event including the date and other particulars.
BetOnline.ag was quick to set odds for the bout. Joshua isn’t nearly as big of a favorite as Fury was against the former UFC champion, but he’s still favored, and the odds are on the move.
Fight Odds
Anthony Joshua -500 (1/5)
Francis Ngannou +325 (13/4)
The odds initially opened at Joshua -275 (4/11) and Ngannou +215 (43/20), but all of the early money coming in is on Joshua.
Well I bet this one is a total mismatch….joshua won’t be caught unprepared and I’m betting he boxes circles around Francis
Same…. While I think Fury has much more raw talent than Joshua, you know Joshua is more committed to the fitness aspect. Fury looked like he’d been on a steady diet of sausages and doughnuts before Ngannou, and it was obvious Ngannou was doing whatever he could to give himself a chance. Joshua won’t open that door by coming in sloppy and hoping for the best.
I expect Ngannou is rough enough and fit enough to hunt Joshua early on, but I don’t see him being competitive outside of the first 3 or so rounds.
Good points. Joshua will have the edge due to the blueprint that was gathered with the Fury fight. Ngannou does have a puncher’s chance against Joshua and in fact, I bet he could upset Joshua if he tagged him hard enough.
Fury has always looked like he has been on a sausage diet that’s nothing new. The man still wins. Being more fitness focused doesn’t mean anything when you have that more natural raw talent. You don’t need to look like a body builder. Abs don’t win you fights.
You’re right, but fitness doesn’t just make you look better. You get stronger and faster, too. Fury- even by his modest standards- looked abnormally sloppy in the ring that night. There’s a reason people in sports workout, it makes you better. Not everyone needs to be jacked to be good, but sloppy and out of shape is never helpful for performance.
It dudn’t help Wilder. He got beat multiple times by the sausage king.
“mismatch” is what they said Fury vs Francis would be. So if Francis puts up a good fight what will the excuse be. Some boxing fans may be sore at Francis for who know what reason but he held his own and put Fury down. That’s respectable.
Boxing keeps sinking lower and lower. I don’t blame Joshua, he is going to get paid for fighting a boxing novice. Comparable to Mayweather/McGregor.
I’m waiting for Floyd fans to give AJ shit even though their boy did the exact same thing.
Why would anyone give anyone “sxxx” for making money? That’s a low vibration mindset no matter who it comes from. “Floyd fan” Pac fans, Canelo fans, Sky blue fans, etc. If one doesn’t like it don’t watch.
Floyd purposely carried McGregor and tried not to hurt the novice Irishman. The most lucrative scam in boxing history!
Well year, considering he bet on himself to win by KO in round 10 it would make sense. It wasn’t a “scam” for those who knew better. It was a scam maybe for Floyd haters who paid all that money to see him lose. Hate makes a person not think logically.
I hope it’s a good fight and everyone involved makes a lot of money (I’m sure they will), but unless the undercard to this one is stacked with something I can’t even think of, I won’t be watching.
Hah ha , here is even more and more of you “i`m not watching” Why do you have to tell that? If you are not watching something dont watch it and keep your mouth shut. Simple as that
“If you are not watching something dont watch it and keep your mouth shut. Simple as that”
– This comment is up for the “A$$h0le of the Year” so far……..
That comment was about as ignorant as you can get. Who the f*ck are you to tell people to keep their mouth shut? If anyone here, or anywhere does not particularly like, or is not impressed by this or any card, they can express so if they wish. You’re either a troll, an mma-sexual, or a fool with a bone to pick. Either way, go clean your room.
Lotta hostility these days…
Fans on here aren’t the brightest but I get where you were coming from. They will be watching like everyone else. Look at how many comments this has lol. We’re all going to be watching.
Right, paying for these circus fights damages the sport of boxing.
Im ok watching boxers vs mma fighters
AS LONG AS THEY FIGHT IN MMA RIGHT AFTER BOXING FIGHT
That will never happen because e they make more money in one boxing match then they do their whole mma career. Blame Dana white for not paying his fighters what they deserve!
I’ve always been a boxing guy, but you can also “blame” Dana White for running an organized promotion with very clear lines of sight with champions and contenders, putting together the biggest fights possible, and not letting rival promoters take his best fighters? One thing UFC has over boxing in a big way is legitimacy among their titleholders and rankings. They endure much less political BS. Even when it comes to horrible decisions, they are far less frequent in MMA. There’s a lot of organizational superiority in UFC that boxing lacks.
The UFC does have a clearer picture regarding rankings, matchups and champions, but people’s main concern is the fact the the fighters get the short end if the stick when they leave a little of themselves fight after fight. The fighters take all the risk and Dana pockets the dough. Not cool. A top 50 boxer can make a much better living.
You cant compared UFC to boxing because UFC its uncomparable. Of course their picture is clearer because its is one organization. Boxing is like having ONE, UFC, Bellator etc under one umbrella with many promoters and combatants fighting for a title. Boxing doesn’t have one entity controlling it.
Why would they do that? MMA doesn’t pay. That kinda the point of why Francis is here.
Always a puncher’s chance…….
Ngannou has better boxing skills then McGregor. Mike Tyson, the convicted rapist / pot entrepeneur did a good job prepping Ngannou. But AJ will do like Fury did and box circles on Ngannou – of course Fury was out of shape and almost lost – AJ may not have a great chin but he will not need to work too hard to outbox Ngannou. Hope Saudis can put a good undercard like the last one. Agit Kabayel against Frank Sanchez comes to mind.
Does Fury have a great chin? Fury has been on the floor more times than AJ, including a hard knockdown by light punching Cruiser Cunningham, a 40 year old Canadian, Nganou and 4 times against Wilder. The only thing that stops Fury from getting ko is his height, even Wallin rocked him in the 12th round in their match.
Roots, and yet he keeps getting up.
Your a bell end mate.
And you’re an idiot, chester lover.
Dovid, so here is one of the less people who still believes gold digger Desiree Washington was raped by Mike Tyson lol.
Smoking pot, not in large amounts of course, is healthy.
About the outcome of the fight, tbh I don’t give af. Another circus fight.
I’ve always felt Tyson got set up.
Of course he was. First, Tyson would never rape or injure a woman. Second, back then he was the ultimate sex symbol for colored women. Would he, as a famous rich athlete, need to rape a woman? Especially one who already voluntarily went with him in his hotel suite?
yeech
All the haters are coming out of their holes and crucifying this match, but they were silent when Fury was fighting the same guy in his,Nganou’s, first ever boxing match, Swarz, Panietta Washed up Chisoro and Whyte, the only top fighter the “fake gypsy” has fought in the last 3-4 years is Wilder 3 times. As a matter of fact Wilder and old Klitskho are the only top fighters that Fury has fought in his whole Carreer. He is a belt holder, if he can fight a man in the guy’s first match in the ring (a fight that most people thought he lost), why can’t Joshua fight him the same guy in his second fight?
https://fightnews.com/fury-ngannou-set-for-oct-28/150133
Roots, you said: “All the haters are coming out of their holes and crucifying this match, but they were silent when Fury was fighting the same guy in his,Nganou’s, first ever boxing match”
That is utterly incorrect. Check the link above. The posters here were probably harder on Fury than Joshua.
Sorry, charlie, but alot of people on here condemned that fight with fury, me included. I think fights like this are a disservice to fans. Sure, there pockets get filled up on these type of fights, that’s why it’s disrespectful. A mma guy with one pro fight gets the lineal champ and another top guy. So, a guy like bakole, kaybel, frank Sanchez, and numerous others that have paid their dues in boxing have to sit and wait while the second freak show occurs. Not enthusiastic, not buying it, and just tired of BS fights like this.
Spot on Roots 100%
Spot off, everyone criticized fury for fighting mma dud.
Both Ngannou is not deserving of these opportunities. Instead actual boxers who worked hard to get into the top ten or top 20 should be getting these paydays.
I would love to see AJ fight JA – Jared Anderson. But Ngannou is a far safer fight for someone like AJ.
I’ve always wondered why Tyson Fury called himself a “Gypsy.” I thought Gypsies initially came from India and spread out throughout Europe, many landing in Romania & Hungary. Fury doesn’t look like he has any lineage from India.
Nordic Annihilator As far as I know, his father’s nickname was already Gypsy. That’s why.
I hope a fight between Eddie Hearn vs Leonard Ellerbe will be the co main event, to make this card a bit interesting
I would pay $79.99 to watch one of those 2 get flattened. I would pick Hearn to win.
I don’t know how this one will play out, I would be more into it, if Francis has additional fights.
Realistically writing, I don’t see Francis winning
Maybe for the undercard they can have a weightlifting contest between a bodybuilder and power lifter
More black eyes for boxing (ugh)
Great job MMA continue to bury boxing
Good for Francis. He surprised me with fury even though fury was out of shape. It’s a black eye and adds to the downward spiral of boxing. I’ll watch it on YouTube for free after.
Everyone thinks this will be an easy fight for AJ but he’s risking a lot with Ngannou who has nothing to lose and everything to gain…
Everyone here commenting seems to forget Ngannou is now ranked 10 by WBC after Fury effort. More coaching by fight time and he will give Joshua heaps of problems.
Ngannou won’t be scared for one thing , seems a very disciplined person,and listens to his team.
And he has power as Fury found out. I’m going out on a limb here and tipping Ngannou to win
I strongly expect Joshua to win. But I give honest credit to Ngannou. Whether he deserves fights like this is debatable, but he’s clearly working his ass off to make the most of his opportunity. He’s in elite shape and appears to be training to get as good as possible. These cash-grab fights are sketchy, but it’s not the fault of Ngannou as he is clearly trying his best against legit, top guys.
I like new AJ.
He is singning the deal´s rapid pace.
He is not talking shit on the media like it´s a circus anymore.
Yes Nganou?..but he had show something in the ring AGAINST lineal champion like it or not.
Fury would never fight AJ.
So this that he crushes Wallin and fights with Nganou is the closest.
Silence the doubters and do what men do.
After this fight Fury is the one who has to impress the world that he has the “right” to fight AJ.
AJ don`t have to prove nothing about the fight with Fury.
Fury is chickenshit pillow duster drug user.
Let the real men fight.
Good luck AJ
I would pick Fury to outbox AJ everyday of the week.
Joshua. Easy
Unless he comes in 50 pounds heavy, fat, slow, and way out of fight condition.
Joshua, as of this typing, is a 10-1 favorite (-1000), while Francis Ngannou is now (+630). Unlike Fury, Joshua is now very focused.
Prediction: Joshua in 2. Think Lennox Lewis vs Donovan “Razor” Ruddock.
Francis needs to fight guys he has a chance of beating. Like DDD or Deontay Wilder. I would say Big Bay Miller, but he just signed a 10 year deal with the Florida Dept of Corrections.
i don’t know, dude. That Ngannou guy impressed me vs Fury. I’ll say 50-50.
I find it ironic that Fury’s lacklustre performance against Ngannou has lead to a huge payday for Fury’s arch rival AJ. Respect to all 3 men, they are doing their business.
These MMA boxing crossovers have been a total mismatch with the exception of Nganou who has the game changer and can drop it at any time. Combined with Joshua’s suspect chin, this can be interesting. Above that, I’m happy for Francis to have the opportunity to make some serious money outside of the UFC. Now that the Wilder fight is out the window, I’m also glad for Joshua as well. A massive payday In the twilight the of your career is never a bad thing.
On a side note, the Saudis are making moves into boxing now which I see as a positive. They have an endless supply of money, or as I the good book says the “wine that gets the world drunk”, so the cards should be stacked for the next few years. We might be in for some much needed matchups.
I thought AJ wants the big fights?
its a very smart move by hearn.
if joshua destroys nnganou (or beats him more convincingly than fury did) than fury will have no choice but to fight joshua (if he beats usyk).
the rematch fury was seeking with nnganou wouldnt make much sense then and he essentially would have no better choice but to face joshua.
-this could all blow up in hearns face tho of nnganou sparks aj 😛
Ruiz vs Joshua in 2019 is what got heavyweight boxing going in Saudi Arabia. Most of Andy Ruiz’s fights are in California.
Fury vs Usyk will be in Riyadh.
Televised Heavyweight boxing isn’t a big deal in the states now.
Joshua is probably going to have big paydays in 2024 and then retire.
The winner of this should fight Zhilei Zhang. Joshua is #2 rated across 3 of the 4 orgs, and #1 by the WBO
Fans in America do not care if big heavyweight cards are coming pay per view from other countries, or if the big fight is out of the US.
I guess Madison Square Garden can still be a player for big heavyweight boxing cards that are pay per view.
Why wouldn’t Fury or Joshua fight in the UK for their next fights? Saudi Arabia is a big place for popular heavyweights to go get the paydays.
Ngannou couldn’t beat Chris Arreola if they fought, let alone AJ.
Can please someone explain these numbers for me:
Anthony Joshua -500 (1/5)
Francis Ngannou +325 (13/4)
What are the meaning of the plus and minus signs? How relates 500 to 1/5 and 325 to 13/4? The numbers are for victory and defeat in general of course? There might be results: split, KO and draw. If this also reflected in the odds? Thank you.
– numbers are for favorites. -500 means you would have to risk $500 to win $100, (1/5) another way of saying the same thing as you are risking 5 dollars for every dollar won. + numbers are for favorites. +325 means you would win $325 for your $100 dollar bet, or (13/4) 13 dollars for every 4 dollars wagered. House makes their money by overvaluing favorites and undervaluing underdogs.
Typo + numbers are for underdogs.
Thank you Michael. Spoken like a man who cleans out the bookies.
– numbers are for favorites. -500 means you would have to risk $500 to win $100, (1/5) another way of saying the same thing as you are risking 5 dollars for every dollar won. + numbers are for underdogs, +325 means you would win $325 for your $100 dollar bet, or (13/4) 13 dollars for every 4 dollars wagered. House makes their money by overvaluing favorites and undervaluing underdogs.
QUESTION: Does AJ fight ultra-cautiously or more assertively like he did against Wallin?
Wallin just stood in front of him and impersonated a punching bag. Presumably this fight, unlike that one – if u can even call that one a fight – will be legit.
I’m still pissed off at Joshua’s last so-called fight last week. Joshua himself actually looked good, and I doubt that he had anything to do with the dirty business, but I believe Wallin was paid off to throw the fight, not try, to deliberately lose.
Why would Wallin, a boxer for almost 20 years, throw the fight when a win puts him in position for mega pay days? Plus how do the actual payments flow?
I think that Joshua will have an easier time than Fury. He will be in shape where Fury was not. Fury did not take the fight seriously enough.
Rumour has Wilder vs Zhang on the undercard. Should be fun. I hope Zhang finishes Wilder.
I agree, Wilder fought like a b..ch in his last fight.
That’d be a fun one. Crazy that after what felt like a decade off, Wilder would be in his second fight in 3 months. It may help, though, as Wilder’s inactivity might be part of the reason he looked so toothless against Parker. And Zhang, despite being old, is legit. Hard to imagine this one would go to the cards.
As long as joshua protects his weak chin all night long, he’ll be alright. Ngannu will come full force to chop the head off joshua on the first 3 rounds. Should be an interesting freak show fight, dough!
Lightning will not strike twice! Joshua has the advantage of knowing he can not take Ngannou lightly. I predict a mid round, one sided beatdown for Joshua. Ngannou will survive into at least the 5th round on will power and toughness (skill as well) but I think Joshua will completely take over and lay down some severe punishment and stop Nganou. Not sure by KO, TKO, or throwing in the towel
Ngannou will murder Joshua, Ngannou will go through him like dose of salts.
As these two are both now top ten fighters why 10 rounds?
I’m trying to stay as a boxing fan but these fights making it hard.
I’d rather see Joshua-Wilder or Joshua-Fury. The fact that these matchups have been avoided FOR YEARS, is a sad reflection on all three fighters. I will be glad when all three are no longer relevant in the sport of boxing.
We all know money talks but honestly Where would you rather go to watch one of these so called big fights Saudi Arabia or Las Vegas?
Who should really care?
This has nearly 80 comments and some folks still don’t get why this fight is happening. Amazing how this deal got put together so quickly but we could never get AJ vs Wilder. Wilder fumbled the bag and AJ took this fight out of spite to Wilder. From a strategic point boxers often say MMA fighters are awkward to box so this will not be as easy as everyone think. Classically trained boxers have tendencies that MMA fighters done. Some make excuses for Fury who has the same amount of time to training and looked horrible. AJ is an Olympic gold medalist with the fundamental pedigree, power and it appears he’s rejuvenated. Francis went toe-to-toe with the HW champion of the world and put him down, power, awkward and iron-clad self belief. If AJ is trying to get a title shot he better take this one seriously and close the show. I am pulling for Francis but I wouldn’t be mad if AJ closed the show.
AJ was fit when he fought Ruiz, Ngannou is a vicious puncher who will be fighting a guy whose right in front of him, this is a risky fight for AJ and it only takes one and AJ can be hit.