Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou date, location start time, odds, price & card 2024 boxing fight | Sporting News

Months after Francis Ngannou almost shocked the world against Tyson Fury, he’s ready to face another former world champion. Ngannou will fight Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia on March 8. The fight will air on DAZN PPV in the U.S. and Sky Sports PPV in the U.K.

That March date was the weekend Joshua and Deontay Wilder initially signed to fight one another. That ended up getting nixed after Wilder lost his fight against Joseph Parker. 

Joshua is a two-time unified heavyweight champion but hasn’t held gold since Oleksandr Usyk beat him in 2021. On a three-fight win streak, with all three wins coming in 2023, Joshua fought on the same Day of Reckoning card as Wilder. He beat opponent Otto Wallin comprehensively, forcing a corner stoppage after five rounds. The Brit has shown a much more aggressive side to him recently. 

Many expected Joshua to fight other contenders or wait for the winner of the undisputed title fight between Tyson Fury and Usyk. Instead, his sole focus is taking on the MMA fighter. 

WATCH: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou, exclusively live on DAZN

“Every fight leads to somewhere, so this fight is my everything; my soul, my spirit, my mind, my body. We’ll see where it leads me, right now, I’m not thinking about any championship belts, or anything. My main focus is Francis, realistically, it’s getting through an intense, focused training camp, because how I train is how I fight,” Joshua said. “If I get victory in my training camp I am sure I get victory on the night. We’ll put the belts on hold because my focus is on getting through training camp and getting to the fight successfully.

Ngannou is a former UFC heavyweight champion who started MMA in 2013. Joining the UFC in 2015, Ngannou went 12-2 for the promotion. “The Predator” won the UFC heavyweight title in 2021 and defended it in January 2022 against Ciryl Gane. After contract talks with the UFC went sour, he left the promotion and joined the PFL.

Before competing in the cage, Ngannou showed interest in fighting in the ring. He fought Tyson Fury in October. With many looking past him, Ngannou knocked the WBC heavyweight champion down, shocking the crowd and those watching at home. He lost via a split decision but earned a massive payday and respect from those in boxing. 

The Sporting News will provide all the information you need regarding this fight, from updated times, channel, odds, card, and more. 

When is Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou

The fight is on March 8. The card starts at 10 a.m. ET. Joshua and Ngannou should make their way to the ring around 6 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.

MORE: Fury vs. Usyk: History of boxing matches in Saudi Arabia

How to watch Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou

The heavyweight fight will be on DAZN, with the streaming giant and Sky Sports PPV set to share the broadcast in the U.K..

Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou price: How much will event cost?

• U.S. PPV Price: $69.99
• U.K. PPV Price:  £19.99
  • For existing DAZN subscribers, the U.K. PPV price will be £18.99.
• DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month in U.S. / $24.99 per month in Canada / £9.99 in the U.K. on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month / 13.99 AUD
• DAZN annual subscription: $224.99 in U.S., $199.99 in Canada, £99.99 in the UK.

MORE: Anthony Joshua saved heavyweight boxing in 2023

Where is Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou?

The fight will be in Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia. It can hold up to 26,000+ people. 

Joshua vs. Ngannou is expected to take place as one of the concluding evens of Riyadh Season. It will be a Friday night fight due to the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix takin place over the subsequent weekend.

Betting odds for Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou

Per Bet MGM, Anthony Joshua is the -400 favorite, while Francis Ngannou is the +300 underdog. 

Anthony Joshua record and bio 

• Nationality: British
• Born: October 15, 1989
• Height: 6-6
• Reach: 82 inches
• Total fights: 30
• Record: 27-3 with 24 wins via knockout

MORE: How to bet on combat sports

Francis Ngannou record, bio 

• Nationality: Cameroonian
• Born: September 6, 1986
• Height: 6-4
• Reach: 83 inches
• Total fights (Boxing): 1
• Total Fights (MMA): 20
• Record (MMA): 17-3 with 12 wins via knockout
• Record (Boxing): 0-1

Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou fight card

• Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou; Heavyweights
• Zhilei Zhang (ic) vs. Joseph Parker for the interim WBO heavyweight title
• Rey Vargas (c) vs. Nick Ball for the WBC featherweight title 
• Israil Madrimov vs. Magomed Kurbanov for the WBA super welterweight title 
• Mark Chamberlain vs. Gavin Gwynne; Lightweights
• Justis Huni va. Kevin Lerena; Heavyweights
• Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Christian Lopez Flores; Super Lightweights
• Roman Fury vs. Martin Svarc; Cruiserweights
• Jack McGann vs. Louis Greene; Super Welterweights