Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Start time, undercard, results and ring walks

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

• Anthony Joshua fights Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• The event is expected to begin at 4pm GMT with ring walks for Joshua vs Ngannou likely to start at 11pm GMT

• Ngannou, 37, made boxing debut vs Tyson Fury in October

• Joshua, 34, seeks to build on three wins from three fights in 2023

• Joseph Parker fights Zhilei Zhang for the WBO interim heavyweight title on the undercard

‘I’ll struggle to go 10 rounds’ claims Ngannou

12:09 , Mike Jones

Francis Ngannou has made a surprise admission ahead of his fight with Anthony Joshua and says that should the fight go all 10 rounds he will struggle towards the end.

“Yes, that’s true,” Ngannou said. “I will struggle to do 10 rounds. I struggle to do 10 rounds, and if anyone doesn’t struggle to 10 rounds, you’re something else, you aren’t human.

“You know, I’m human, everybody gets tired after 10 rounds. That’s right, I struggled, and I have no problem with it because it’s a learning process.

Story continues

“I’m here to learn. I struggled in my first fight with Tyson Fury and in fact, in that fight, I was questioning myself like, ‘What will happen when I get in the third round? How will I feel?’

“I’ve never been in a professional boxing match for four rounds, six rounds, or eight rounds – and that was 10 rounds!

“So, yes, I did struggle. But I think [Fury] struggled as well, maybe more.”

George Groves gives his prediction for Joshua vs Ngannou

12:01 , Mike Jones

The former super middleweight world champion, George Groves, says the fight has ‘grown on him’ and that no-one will be underestimating Francis Ngannou anymore despite his UFC background.

“This fight has grown on me since it’s been made, I’ve done my investigations into Ngannou and I don’t think anybody is underestimating him this time around,” he said, “I’m not a huge MMA/UFC fan but I’ve gathered he’s more a boxer than UFC fighter anyway. He can punch hard, apparently he’s the hardest punching person on the planet.

“The pressure is on for AJ because he’s fighting an newbie boxer with a record of 0-1. He should have the class to go in there and box rings around Ngannou, but anything can happen. Ngannou might be twice as good this time because he’s had a double camp.

“There are unknowns for Joshua, the pressure is on him because he is the guy with the pedigree and he’s got to win. Ngannou is in that vibe where he’s talking about wanting to drag these guys into his domain. Whether it’s a tactic to undermine Joshua and say he’s the stronger, tougher, braver man or alleviate pressure, it might work or it might not.

“Ngannou proved a lot of people wrong, a lot of doubters wrong. He’s sort of got nothing to lose.

“Anthony Joshua will win, I think he might stop Ngannou.”

Pre-fight thoughts from Anthony Joshua

11:53 , Mike Jones

At the press conference earlier this week Anthony Joshua seem relaxed and confident about tonight’s fight. He said: “God is good, life is good, no complaining. We’re happy.

“All will be revealed. Straight-up war, relentlessness. That’s what people have come for, isn’t it? A good fight. It’s already written in the stars what’s gonna happen, I’m just following my destiny.

“We work for these people out here, it’s our duty to entertain them, but that’s what I signed up to do. Bring every challenge, and I’ll step up to the plate.”

Joshua, when asked if he’s going to ‘fight fire with fire’: “One hundred per cent, let’s go.”

Why fear will settle Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou’s dangerous fight

11:45 , Mike Jones

It is remarkable how quickly perceptions can change in fight sports. Before Francis Ngannou’s carnivalesque contest against Tyson Fury in October, as it was framed, there was no real question of whether the ex-UFC champion could succeed; it was a thought that very few pundits bothered to entertain, and understandably so. Here was a total boxing novice, with not even an amateur bout to his name, taking on the unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion of the world in the boxer’s preferred discipline.

Yet when Ngannou sent Fury cascading in the third round, clipping the Briton with a hook to the top of the dome before standing over him in a fit of laughter, perceptions shifted in a matter of milliseconds. The look of sheer shock on Fury’s face was mirrored by the thousands watching at home and the hundreds ringside in Riyadh. Ngannou, ultimately, was denied an inconceivable victory on the disputable scorecards, but the Cameroonian left Saudi Arabia having secured a moral triumph from the moment that Fury’s 6ft 7in frame connected with the canvas in the Kingdom Arena.

Why fear will settle Joshua and Ngannou’s dangerous fight

More from Eddie Hearn:

11:36 , Mike Jones

“Every fight is important in this process to regain the heavyweight title. That’s what [Joshua] wants to do.

“This fight came out of nowhere [...] Ngannou earned the right to fight any heavyweight in the world. It’s a remarkable run as a fighter, and it’s a real challenge [for Joshua], but I don’t see any aspect that Francis is better in than Anthony.

“But he’s strong and he’s dangerous.”

‘I haven’t shocked the world yet’ says Ngannou

11:27 , Mike Jones

Francis Ngannou is adamant his performance against Tyson Fury wasn’t a one-off and that he still has some surprises up his sleeve for Anthony Joshua.

“I think I haven’t shocked the world yet,” he said, “I’m still in the ‘factory’, training, learning. When I really get it, that’s when I think the world is really gonna be shocked.

“I think I trust the process and the work that we’re putting in, so it’s gonna pay off.”

Ngannou, when asked whether his body shots in yesterday’s open workout were a clue about his tactics on Friday: “Every space that I have, I’m gonna hit. Don’t you worry about what’s a clue.”

What has Eddie Hearn said?

11:18 , Mike Jones

Eddie Hearn at the pre-fight press conference said: “This is [Joshua’s] fourth fight in 11 months. It’s a message to all flagship fighters: You have to stay active.

“It’s been a blessing [...] I’ve never seen him punching with such ferocity, I’ve never seen him with such confidence, and I believe he’s the best heavyweight in the world – I do.

“I didn’t give [Ngannou] any chance against Fury, no chance of winning a round, but he won everybody’s respect that night. We take him seriously.”

Anthony Joshua reveals why he still lives at home with his mother

11:10 , Mike Jones

Anthony Joshua has opened up on why he still lives at home with his mother at the age of 34.

The two-time former unified world heavyweight champion spoke of his enjoyment of spending time with his family, ahead of his fight against Francis Ngannou on Friday (8 March).

In an interview with Good Morning Britain on Monday (4 March). the boxer told hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley:

“ I train away from home a lot and I realised if I was to move out I would never actually see my mum. My base is with Mum so I can wake up and see her and spend time with her.”

Francis Ngannou 20lbs heavier than Anthony Joshua at weigh-in for Saudi fight

11:01 , Mike Jones

Francis Ngannou was 20.2lbs heavier than Anthony Joshua at Thursday’s weigh-in for their boxing match in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua, a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, will fight the ex-UFC champion in Riyadh on Friday (8 March).

Ahead of their 10-round professional contest, “AJ” and the “Predator” hit the scales and came face to face for the final time before Friday’s first bell. Ngannou weighed in first, coming in at 272.6lbs – 0.4lbs heavier than he was in his boxing debut against Tyson Fury in October. Joshua followed at 252.4lbs – 1.4lbs heavier than he was against Otto Wallin in December.

Francis Ngannou 20lbs heavier than Anthony Joshua at weigh-in for Saudi fight

Joshua has respect for Ngannou

10:55 , Mike Jones

Anthony Joshua insisted that he will “always, always” respect Francis Ngannou’s skills.

When asked whether Tyson Fury had failed to do so in his bout against the ex-UFC champion, Joshua said of his compatriot: “He can answer those questions himself, I can’t be a spokesperson for Fury.”

Joshua was also asked for his prediction for Friday’s main event, to which he laughed: “I deliver, I’m the postman!”

Pre-fight talk from Ngannou

10:48 , Mike Jones

Speaking at the weigh in Ngannou said: “The mindset is still the same. This is just my second boxing match, even though I’m taking on the two best guys in the world in boxing.

“I’m the underdog, I’m going out there to prove that you can be an underdog and stand your ground.”

On why he smirked slightly at AJ: “Sometimes it just makes me laugh a little bit, because we’re going to fight in boxing rules, but what would happen if it was a ‘free’ fight? I would smoke these guys! Ahaha! I’m the only one to go into their backyard.

“My official prediction is me leaving the ring with the victory.”

Joshua vs Ngannou weigh in

10:40 , Mike Jones

At yesterday’s weigh in Francis Ngannou tipped the scales at 272.6lbs – ever so slightly heavier than he was when he fought Fury.

Anthony Joshua came in at 252.4lbs – slightly heavier than he was against Wallin. Ngannou is 20.2lbs heavier than Joshua but both men look in exceptional shape.

This should be a good fight.

Anthony Joshua faces Francis Ngannou jeopardy – but holds key advantage over Tyson Fury

10:31 , Mike Jones

The fun carnival of boxing in Saudi Arabia ended in the third round last October when Francis Ngannou sent Tyson Fury sprawling to the canvas.

The fun was finished in that shocking moment; boxing is not football, snooker, darts, tennis, Formula One or golf – boxing is far more dangerous, and the very best plans, schemes and bank vaults are useless against a well-placed left hook. One punch, less than a second in time, and the schedule gets ripped up.

Big Francis, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion before he left the promotion to begin a boxing career, dropped Fury and that led to Fury pulling out of the “Fight of the Century” against Oleksandr Uysk, which was planned for December. That, in turn, led to Deontay Wilder fighting that night and losing to Joseph Parker; that led to Wilder not fighting Anthony Joshua and, instead, Joshua fighting Ngannou on Friday in Riyadh. It was just one solitary left hook.

Joshua faces Ngannou jeopardy – but holds key advantage over Fury

Who else is fighting?

10:23 , Mike Jones

Before Joshua and Ngannou collide, Joseph Parker will challenge Zhilei Zhang for the WBO interim title.

Zhang, 40, won the belt from Joe Joyce with a stoppage in April, and the Chinese heavyweight retained the gold in a rematch in September.

Parker in fact failed to win the title against Joyce in 2022, but the New Zealander has since won four straight fights. Most recently, the 32-year-old outpointed Deontay Wilder for a career-defining win in December.

Why is Joshua fighting Ngannou?

10:15 , Mike Jones

Anthony Joshua scored three wins from three fights in 2023, stopping Otto Wallin Riyadh in December to round out the year.

The 34-year-old was expecting a bout with Deontay Wilder here, only for the American to scupper those plans by losing to Joseph Parker on the same night as AJ’s win over Wallin.

Now he’s facing Francis Ngannou, an ex-UFC champion, whose only previous boxing experience was against Tyson Fury last October.

Ngannou returns to the ring

10:07 , Mike Jones

Francis Ngannou’s second boxing match marks the continuation of his remarkable arrival in the sport, as the ex-UFC champion fights Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia tonight.

In October, Ngannou made his boxing debut against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, knocking down the Briton before losing a hotly-disputed decision in Riyadh.

Now, the 37-year-old Cameroonian faces another Briton in “AJ”, a former two-time unified champion.

Full card (subject to change)

10:00 , Mike Jones

Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou (heavyweight)

Zhilei Zhang (C) vs Joseph Parker (WBO interim heavyweight title)

Rey Vargas (C) vs Nick Ball (WBC featherweight title)

Israel Madrimov vs Magomed Kurbanov (vacant WBA super-welterweight title)

Gavin Gwynne vs Mark Chamberlain (lightweight)

Justis Huni vs Kevin Lerena (heavyweight)

Mark Chamberlain vs Gavin Gwynne (lightweight)

Jack McGann vs Louis Greene (super-welterweight)

Roman Fury vs Martin Svarc (cruiserheavyweightweight)

Ziyad Almaayouf vs Christian Lopez Flores (super-lightweight)

Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres (heavyweight)

Joshua vs Ngannou prize money

09:51 , Mike Jones

Joshua and Ngannou’s respective earnings for the fight have not been made public. A number of publications cited a Sports Business Journal article, which apparently reported that AJ will make $50m to Ngannou’s $20m – not factoring in pay-per-view points. However, the original article no longer lists specific figures. A Forbes article has endorsed the suggestion that those sums are accurate, however.

When Ngannou fought Fury in October, the Cameroonian earned $10m, according to Fury, whose friend Derek Chisora claimed that the “Gypsy King” made $50m.

Joshua vs Ngannou rules

09:42 , Mike Jones

Joshua vs Ngannou will be a standard professional boxing match. The fight is scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds. Each fighter can win via decision, knockout or TKO (technical knockout, e.g. the referee stops the bout, a towel is thrown in, or an injury halts the fight).

Each round will be scored using the 10-point ‘must’ system, meaning the winner of a round receives 10 points, while the loser gets 9 – unless they are knocked down or badly hurt, in which case they will receive 8 points, 7 or fewer, depending on the severity of the damage.

The same rules applied to Ngannou’s pro boxing debut in October, when he fought Fury, although the quirk in that bout was that the Briton’s WBC heavyweight title was not on the line.

Joshua vs Ngannou odds

09:34 , Mike Jones

Latest odds ahead of tonight’s fight

Joshua – 2/9

Ngannou – 100/30

Draw – 16/1

Odds via Betway. Get all the latest boxing betting sites’ offers here.

When is the fight and how to watch it?

09:23 , Mike Jones

Joshua vs Ngannou is set to take place on Friday 8 March in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event is expected to begin at 4pm GMT (8am PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET), with ring walks for Joshua vs Ngannou likely to start at 11pm GMT (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET).

The event will stream live on Dazn in the UK, US and worldwide, with Sky Sports also airing the action in the UK.

New Dazn viewers can purchase the fight card for £19.99. A subscription to Dazn is available to purchase here.

Good morning!

09:17 , Mike Jones

Hello boxing fans. It’s a big day in Saudi Arabia as the Middle East country continues to be the place for huge fights and tonight’s event is no different.

Anthony Joshua returns to the ring to take on Francis Ngannou in what he hopes will be the next step towards retaining his world titles.

Ngannou, a former UFC fighter, impressed the world in his recent fight against Tyson Fury and though he lost the bout many onlookers believed he was harshly judged.

Joshua will need to keep his wits about him this evening but a competent and exciting display will do him no harm as he looks to set up a fight with either Fury or Oleksandr Usyk.