Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury in heated exchange at press conference
Anthony Joshua faces a unique test tonight, as he boxes ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua is a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, while Ngannou has only boxed once, yet the Cameroonian shocked fans with that performance against Tyson Fury in October. Ngannou dropped the unbeaten Fury before losing a controversial decision in Riyadh, and now the 37-year-old has returned to the Saudi city for another clash with a Briton.
Joshua, 34, enters the bout on the back of three fights and three wins in 2023, having stopped Otto Wallin in five rounds in December. That win over Wallin came moments after Deontay Wilder was stunned by Joseph Parker, in a result that derailed a long-awaited fight between Joshua and the “Bronze Bomber”.
Instead, attention turned to Joshua vs Ngannou, a fight billed as “Knockout Chaos”. Will the action live up to the tagline? Find out as we provide live coverage of the intriguing contest, as well as an undercard featuring Parker’s clash with Zhilei Zhang.
Follow live updates and results from the undercard and main event, below:
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE
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‘Ngannou shouldn’t be able to make such a dent’ says Nelson
Former cruiserweight world champion and Sky Sports Boxing expert, Johnny Nelson, says that this fight isn’t as clear as some would make out.
On paper Francis Ngannou should be no match for Anthony Joshua but Nelson claims he is coming around to the possibility of an upset due to the former UFC champion’s unshakable demeanour.
“Ngannou shouldn’t be able to make such a dent, make such fear in any fighter in the top 10, but he has,” said Nelson. “Is it the new coming, the new era?
“As the weeks keep rolling, my compass was there for Anthony Joshua but it’s slowly going that way and I don’t want to say it out loud because I love this sport.
“I started with AJ day and night shutting him out, it’s not even a conversation, but when I see the demeanour and the model of these athletes and the mannerism of Ngannou, who is not going to be pressured in any way, I believe it.
“I’m starting to believe that if AJ goes in there and boxes how he boxed (Jermaine) Franklin then he will get knocked out. If you go in there and doubt yourself for one second with this guy you’re getting turned over.
“I want to stay with it [his prediction Joshua will win], I’m worried.
“You look at the team Ngannou brought, you bring a big team when you think you’re doing something special, they think they’re going to shock this fight. It’s a who’s who of boxing watching this week, I think they know it’s going to be a snatch and grab fight.”
Alex Pattle8 March 2024 15:42
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres
A right cross slides across the face of Torres, who is trying to increase his activity now. He’s struggling badly with the reach and height of Novytskyi, though.
A couple of hard shots sting Torres, one to the head and one to the body, then he stumbles to the mat in a brief grappling exchange.
Finally Torres lands something of significance, an overhand, but he’s simultaneously punished by a cross.
Good uppercut from Novytskyi, then a flurry of follow-up shots, and Torres takes a knee! He’s not going to beat the count, he doesn’t look like he wants to be there!
Andrii Novytskyi def. Juan Torres via third-round TKO (2:04)
Alex Pattle8 March 2024 15:34
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres
Torres’s right eye has looked a little bruised since very early in the first round.
Novytskyi presses forward, slinging more crosses at the head of the Texan.
Torres bites hard on a feint from Novytskyi, who corners him now. Another feint gets a big reaction out of Torres.
Novytskyi has almost exclusively thrown straight shots so far. He adds in an uppercut and hook as Torres covers up.
A right hand has Torres briefly in trouble at the end of the round.
Alex Pattle8 March 2024 15:30
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres
Novytskyi has a significant height advantage here. He stands orthodox, Torres is southpaw.
Two good jabs from Novytskyi early, as he clips Torres to the head after attacking the body. Clean cross to the body of Torres now.
Another stiff jab upstairs from Novytskyi, and another cross to the body. Now the Ukrainian catches Torres on the end of a straight right to the head.
Torres is struggling to find any gaps so far, and he looks hesitant to try.
Alex Pattle8 March 2024 15:26
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres
The first fight of the day is upon us already! It’s Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres at heavyweight.
Ukraine’s Novytskyi is unbeaten (9-0, 8 KOs), and he’s the favourite against Texan Torres (11-5-1, 4 KOs).
This one is scheduled for eight rounds.
Alex Pattle8 March 2024 15:18
Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury clash in heated exchange ahead of Anthony Joshua bout
The “Gypsy King”, who confronted the former MMA champion over claims he was a “coward” earlier this week, sat in the front row of the audience as his rival took questions.
“I’m going to wipe the ring with your a*** again – there was blood in the ring,” Ngannou told Fury.
“Respect the fact boxing rules are protecting us because you are nothing in front of me. I’ll beat you every day, twice on Sunday,” he added, clicking his fingers.
Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury in heated exchange at press conference
Mike Jones8 March 2024 15:18
Tommy Fury has his say
“If I was talking to AJ I would be saying to not get involved with him,” says Tommy Fury, the younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson, and a professional boxer himself.
“Keep him at the end of the jab, box him, you’re the boxer in the there, the Olympic medallist. Don’t get involved with him, because if you get involved with the man the size of him you’ll go over if he clips you.
“A man that size, doesn’t matter how good he is, if he clips you you’re going over. Keep it nice and long, keep the straight shots going, twists and turns, don’t try and put on a show.
“AJ is in a good predicament. Tyson has stated he wants the winner of these two so we could finally see the matchup we’ve wanted to see for years. Be nice and tidy, if you win on points then great, a win is a win.
“I think AJ will win this fight if he doesn’t get involved. If he does get involved it could be a different story.”
Mike Jones8 March 2024 15:03
How ‘Big Bang’ Zhang can steal Joshua and Ngannou’s thunder
When Parker and Joyce met in Manchester, the New Zealander’s career resurrection was seemingly left in ruins, as Joyce walked through every barrage that Parker could muster and outgunned the tourist with heavier artillery. After Parker’s back-to-back defeats by Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in 2018 – his first two losses as a professional – he had managed a streak of six straight wins, only for the “Juggernaut” to halt his momentum and dismiss his potential of becoming a world champion again. So it seemed, at least.
Mike Jones8 March 2024 14:49
Parker feels ‘dangerous’
The New Zealander is feeling confident ahead of the bout saying: “I feel dangerous, I really do, and Zhang’s going to feel the danger.”
Mike Jones8 March 2024 14:36
Zhang on Parker
Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou isn’t the only huge fight of the night as Joseph Parker takes on Zhilei Zhang for the interim WBO heavyweight title.
Zhang said: “Joseph Parker is a hell of a fighter. He’s young, he’s hungry, and he’s coming for the belt. I’m the tiger here. If you want to hunt, if you want to take the food out of my mouth, you’ll pay the price.”
Mike Jones8 March 2024 14:20