Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou:
Joshua by KO in the 2nd round.
Zhilei Zhang vs. Joseph Parker:
Parker by majority decision.
Rey Vargas vs. Nick Ball:
Split decision draw.
Israil Madrimov vs. Magomed Kurbanov:
Madrimov by TKO in the 5th round.
Mark Chamberlain vs. Gavin Gwynne:
Chamberlain by TKO in the 4th round.
Justis Huni vs. Kevin Lerena:
Huni by unanimous decision.
Jack McGann vs. Louis Greene:
Greene by TKO in the 1st round.
Roman Fury vs. Martin Svarc:
Fury by points.
Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Christian Lopez Flores:
Almaayouf by points.
Andrii Novytskyi vs. Juan Torres:
Novytskyi by KO in the 3rd round.
On March 8th, two of the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division, Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou, are set to meet in a bout with explosive potential in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This ten-round contest is not just another fight for Joshua; it’s a risk to his chance to fight for a world title again. The general consensus in the boxing world is that this fight will likely end in a knockout, and concerns are being raised about Joshua’s vulnerability, especially in the chin area.
Watch the official grand arrivals highlights on YouTube:
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Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has been cautious in the past five years, steering Joshua away from heavy punchers. This strategy has kept Joshua at the top, but now he faces a formidable opponent in Ngannou. Ngannou, known for his punching power, chin, and aggressive style, could pose a significant challenge to Joshua. Hearn himself admits that this is a “risky fight” for Joshua, one that could potentially undo all the hard work put into rebuilding his career after previous setbacks.
Watch Joshua vs. Ngannou preview:
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Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is relatively new to professional boxing, with his experience limited to a fight against an out-of-shape Tyson Fury last October. Despite this, he’s shown he has the power and belief to be a serious contender. The fight, initially thought to be an exhibition, is now a sanctioned professional bout, raising questions about its legitimacy given Joshua’s extensive experience and achievements.
The co-main event is generating its own buzz with a heavyweight clash between Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker. Following their significant victories last year, both contenders are set to prove their mettle. Zhang's notable double victory over Joe Joyce for the WBO 'interim' belt promises him a shot at heavyweight glory, while Parker's tactical masterclass against Deontay Wilder has firmly placed him in the spotlight.
Zhang gives Bing Bang warning:
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The undercard is packed with significant bouts, including two world title fights. Rey Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs) is set to defend his WBC featherweight title against Nick Ball (19-0, 11 KOs), while Israil Madrimov (9-0-1, 6 KOs) and Magomed Kurbanov (25-0, 13 KOs) will battle for the vacant WBA super-welterweight championship.
Vargas, a seasoned fighter with a rich history in the sport, is aiming to bounce back from a recent defeat to O’Shaquie Foster for the WBC super-featherweight title. Despite the setback, Vargas, who has held titles at both 122 and 126 pounds, is granted a special opportunity to defend his featherweight title, a belt he hasn't defended since July 2022 against Mark Magsayo.
Watch Vargas vs. Foster full fight:
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Nick Ball, a rising star from Liverpool, enters the fight undefeated. Following an impressive victory over Isaac Dogboe, Ball has earned his shot at the title. Known for his aggressive, all-action style, Ball has quickly made a name for himself as a formidable contender.
Madrimov is currently the WBA's top-ranked contender and hasn't fought since his victory over Raphael Igbowke last April. On the other side, the undefeated Kurbanov enters the ring after a closely contested split-decision win against Michel Soro in May.
Previously there were some uncertainties concerning the occurring of the fight, but Robert Smith, the general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, has put to rest any doubts about the fight's occurrence. The British Boxing Board of Control, which oversees major boxing events in Saudi Arabia, has confirmed that there were no medical disqualifications for either fighter, suggesting that any delays were likely due to administrative processes.
Watch Ball vs. Dogboe highlights:
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Among the promising talents featured is Roman Fury, continuing the Fury family's boxing legacy. At 27 years old and 6'2", Roman holds an undefeated record of 3-0, showcasing his skills with one technical knockout and two decisions. His next challenge is against Martin Svarc, aiming to maintain his perfect record.
The event also brings together a diverse set of fighters across various divisions including Mark Chamberlain, Gavin Gwynne, Justis Huni, Kevin Lerena, Jack McGann, Louis Greene, Ziyad Almaayouf, Christian Lopez Flores, Andrii Novytskyi, and Juan Torres.
Fight card:
▪️Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou, 10 rounds, heavyweight
▪️Zhilei Zhang vs. Joseph Parker, 12 rounds, for Zhang’s interim WBO heavyweight title
▪️Rey Vargas vs. Nick Ball, 12 rounds, for Vargas’ WBC featherweight title
▪️Israil Madrimov vs. Magomed Kurbanov, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA super welterweight title
▪️Mark Chamberlain vs. Gavin Gwynne, 10 rounds, for vacant WBA international lightweight title
▪️Justis Huni vs. Kevin Lerena, 10 rounds, heavyweight
Prelims (Starts at 10 am ET):
▪️Jack McGann vs. Louis Greene, 10 rounds, super welterweight
▪️Roman Fury vs. Martin Svarc, 4 rounds, heavyweight
▪️Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Christian Lopez Flores, 6 rounds, super lightweight
▪️Andrii Novytskyi vs. Juan Torres, 8 rounds, heavyweight
Watch the official prelims live on YouTube:
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