Anthony Joshua is set to confront former MMA star Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia, on March 8, following Joshua’s recent victory over Otto Wallin.
Ngannou, a Cameroonian-born fighter, entered professional boxing in October, impressively knocking down WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury before a narrow defeat.
The upcoming press conference in London will mark the official announcement of this high-profile bout.
Notably, both Joshua’s triumph and Ngannou’s impactful debut against Fury occurred in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the Gulf Kingdom’s growing prominence as a lucrative venue for major boxing events.
In a bid to secure substantial purses, promoters are increasingly turning to Saudi Arabia, making it the preferred destination for significant matchups.
In a related event, Tyson Fury is scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh on February 17, with the potential to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.
Saudi Arabia’s significant investments in sporting events, including securing the rights to host the 2034 World Cup, the LIV Golf circuit, a Formula One Grand Prix, and football’s Club World Cup, underscore its ambition to establish itself as a prominent global sports destination.
Despite these sporting endeavors, Saudi Arabia faces criticism from detractors who accuse the country of engaging in “sportswashing” — using sports events to enhance its international image in response to widespread concerns about its human rights and environmental practices.
