Britain’s Anthony Joshua celebrates after defeating Sweden’s Otto Wallin during their heavyweight boxing match at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on December 23, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by AHMED YOSRI has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [-/STR] instead of [Ahmed YOSRI]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.
Ngannou has only boxed once professionally, when he knocked down Tyson Fury before losing in a split-decision to the reigning WBC heavyweight champion in late October.
A date for the Riyadh fight wasn’t announced but it looks likely to take place in March.
Britain’s Tyson Fury (L) falls on the ground as he fights against Cameroonian-French Francis Ngannou during their heavyweight boxing match in Riyadh early on October 29, 2023. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)
Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are scheduled to fight in Riyadh on Feb. 17 to unify all of the major heavyweight boxing titles. Usyk holds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts.
The 34-year-old Joshua looked sharp before Christmas when he stopped Otto Wallin with a fifth-round technical knockout. On the same card, Deontay Wilder lost to Joseph Parker, which scuppered talk of a March bout between Wilder and Joshua.
Eddie Hearn, who is Joshua’s promoter, announced Friday night that the Ngannou fight is a “ done deal ” and that a press conference will be held in London on Jan. 15.
The 37-year-old Ngannou of Cameroon is a former UFC champion.