Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou Will Do Better in PPV Numbers Than Tyson Fury Fight, It Won’t Even Require Assembling the ‘Avengers of Boxing’

It all comes down to money. The boxing world is crippling before the Saudis, who are mending the sport by putting star-clad fight cards. The allure of cash is high, and the axis has shifted to Riyadh. It comes as no surprise that Anthony Joshua will now fight Francis Ngannou next on a rumored March 8 card. However, the proposed fight might be the one that elevates Riyadh to boxing Mecca, as it will eclipse not only Tyson Fury‘s revenue but also the Day of Reckoning hype.

‘AJ’ is the epicenter of the boxing revolution in Riyadh, as he has inserted himself into the title conversation in 2023. Notably, he is coming off a win over Otto Wallin on December 23. After accumulating three consecutive wins in 2023, the British boxer is ready to clinch the gold. But before that, he took a detour to Francis Ngannou, which has PPV blockbuster written over it.

Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou: buzz and exciting action

Francis Ngannou is the hottest property in the boxing world right now, which assures a heap of cash. The MMA fighter-turned-boxer has seized eyeballs after knocking down Tyson Fury in a fight in October last year. While the fight did poorly on PPV numbers, he established himself as a force to be reckoned with.

Ngannou’s raw power and impressive performance against the ‘Gypsy King’ will help create buzz for the Joshua fight. In addition, the fans know the risk involved for Joshua, as Fury almost dropped the fight to Ngannou. Some even believed Ngannou had handed Fury his first defeat. Therefore, it’s not a foregone conclusion that Joshua will edge past him easily.

Fans are not aware of the extent of Ngannou’s boxing prowess, which will sell the fight. The hype surrounding him is real, and it has boxing fans hooked. The question is not whether Joshua can sail against the power, strength, and skill of Ngannou, but whether Ngannou can kill a boxing giant like Joshua. The storyline will pique fans’ interest in shelling out money, irrespective of a thinly stacked-up card.

‘Predator’ vs. ‘AJ’: A PPV not mandating a beefed-up card

While the Joshua vs. Ngannou headliner has all the ingredients of a spicy and thrilling encounter, the purists remain skeptical. Crossover boxing remains a shunned topic among traditionalists, and the promoters might have to pull some smart strings instead of throwing money.

A good undercard to please the hardcore boxing fans will do the trick, as they are now aware of Ngannou’s boxing acumen. Also, Joshua, 35, remains a fan favorite. They would have no qualms about witnessing Joshua dismantle a boxer who put Fury on the canvas. This fight is not for legacy or respect for Joshua but for Saudi money.

Additionally, there are rumors of Zhilei Zhang fighting on the card against Deontay Wilder as the co-main event. ‘Big Bang’s manager wants to put him on the card, and a clash between them would also give the card traction. While Zhang had a tremendous 2023 with two wins over Joe Joyce, Wilder is looking for redemption. A revival vs. redemption arc theme will co-headline the event, adding to the card’s appeal.

Stakes too high for Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua

Joshua, at 27-3, wants to become a three-time world champion. However, as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight for the undisputed title at heavyweight, he has to wait in the ranks. As there is a rematch clause, the winner might not be able to defend the IBF strap against the mandatory challenger, and the title will be up for grabs.

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If Joshua’s supposed fight with Filip Hrgovic isn’t delayed, the Ngannou fight is an excellent opportunity for him. Meanwhile, if he ends up losing, an immediate title fight will spoil his optics. Similarly, Ngannou has a strong chin and a puncher’s opportunity. A miscalculated step in the square circle will derail Joshua’s plans.

For Ngannou, he has to put up a competitive fight. He has to show the world that he is a combat sports star worthy of walking a boxer’s path. Otherwise, he might risk losing his charm and a big payday. But the risks and stakes only amplify the excitement of the showdown and will move the needle in their favor.

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