Francis Ngannou will return to the boxing ring for his next fight when he collides with Anthony Joshua later this year.
Ngannou pushed world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury to the limit in his boxing debut in October, flooring Fury but losing a decision.
The former UFC champion’s fight with Joshua, according to combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, will also be a 10-rounder.
Joshua boxed three times in 2023, defeating Jermain Franklin, Robert Helenius and then dismantling Otto Wallin on the big Day of Reckoning bill in Saudi Arabia on December 23.
Helwani said the deal had been confirmed to him by separate sources, including Turki Alalshikh, who is behind the significant boxing developments in Saudi.
Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, confirmed the news via social media. Hearn also stated that the press conference for the event will take place in London on January 15th with more information being released at a later date.
The action in Saudi Arabia picks up on February 17, when Tyson Fury meets Oleksandr Usyk for all of the belts at heavyweight.
