Francis Ngannou against Anthony Joshua is a ‘done deal’ as ex-UFC star continues boxing journey

Combat journalist Ariel Helwani confirmed on Friday night that the rumoured bout between Ngannou and former heavyweight champion Joshua is now a ‘done deal’.

Ex-UFC star Ngannou shocked the sporting world last October after flooring heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

The Brit went on to win the fight via a split decision, though it was Ngannou who made all the headlines following one of the most impressive professional boxing debuts in history.

Helwani confirmed the news on X, saying: “Massive breaking news on this Friday evening from the world of combat sports.

“I have confirmed via Mr. Turki Alalshikh that it is a done deal. It is going down. Francis Ngannou, The Predator, the former UFC heavyweight champion is returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Breaking:

Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua is a done deal, per @Turki_alalshikh.

Ten-round boxing match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

More: pic.twitter.com/e6Hsc6Fh70

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 5, 2024

“Just a few months removed from his incredible performance against Tyson Fury, after an unbelievable year where he leaves the UFC, signs for PFL, gets the big Tyson fight and shocks everyone.

“He is returning to action, in a boxing match later on this year, to go up against the former heavyweight champion, the man who had an incredible 2023 of his own right, the man who just won at Day of Reckoning in Riyadh, the one and only AJ Anthony Joshua.

“It is a done deal on both ends. Anthony Joshua versus Francis Ngannou. Ten round fight later on this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.”

A press conference to confirm the date of this mammoth heavyweight showdown is expected later this month in London.

Since losing to Oleksandr Usyk for the second time, Joshua has been on a three-fight winning run.

His latest outing saw his comfortably defeat Otto Wallin inside five rounds. Before that, the Brit produced a sensational knockout against Robert Helenius.