04 March 2024 , 09:00
980
0
Anthony Joshua takes on Francis Ngannou on Friday as he attempts to avoid a slip-up on his route back to winning a world title.
Joshua looked to be out of the picture after losing back-to-back fights with Oleksandr Usyk but has since strung together three wins in a row, beating Jermain Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin last year. Ngannou, meanwhile, surprised the boxing world with his performance against Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia last October, dropping the world champion in the third round before losing a razor-thin points decision.
The Cameroonian will now look to ensure that performance wasn't a fluke when he takes on another Brit this week. But there are also plenty of exciting fights on the undercard in Riyadh, including a potential heavyweight banger between Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. Here is everything you need to know about Friday's fight night...
Anthony Joshua can't afford a slip-up here as he takes on former UFC heavyweight world champion Francis Ngannou in the main event. Joshua had seemingly given up on his dream of becoming the undisputed champion but could now be one win away from taking on the winner of Tyson Fury's clash with Oleksandr Usyk which will now take place on May 18. Ngannou caused ripples in the MMA world when he walked away from the promotion last year but cashed in when he took on Tyson Fury in October, come so close to causing one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
Joseph Parker set the cat among the pigeons three months ago when he outpointed Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia to spoil the American's plan to fight Anthony Joshua this year. Parker controlled most of the fight against the former world champion to put himself back in the frame for another world title shot. Zhang upset Joe Joyce's plans with back-to-back wins over the Brit having previously lost to Filip Hrgovic. The Chinese star will also fancy his chances of finally securing a world title shot this year if he can overcome his New Zealand rival.
Arguably the best fight on the card as Rey Vargas and Nick Ball clash for the WBC featherweight world title. Vargas won the title by beating Mark Magsayo in 2022 before moving up a division only to lose a world title clash against O'Shaquie Foster last year. Ball brings an undefeated record from Liverpool having set up his first world title shot by outpointing Isaac Dogboe in Manchester in 2023.
Another cracker on the undercard as two Brits face off in the desert. Mark Chamberlain brings an undefeated record to the Middle East but faces a step up against Gavin Gwynne who has rebuilt with two wins since a surprise draw with Craig Woodruff two years ago. The Welshman's win over Emiliano Marsili last time out was particularly impressive and he will be looking to take another step forward on Friday.
Heavyweight prospect Andrii Novytskyi is hunting his 10th win as a professional when he takes on Juan Torres, a man who will do well to hear the final bell in Riyadh on Friday night. Torres has lost five of his 17 paid fights and while he may be riding a three-fight win streak, none of those victories came against an opponent with a winning record. Ukraine's Novytskyi has stopped all but one of his opponents and will expect another KO on Friday.
Unbeaten Australian heavyweight Justis Huni has been matched tough in his young career and will face another solid challenge in Kevin Lerena. Huni outpointed Andrew Tabiti last October to take his record to 9-0 but will face a man with 32 fights to his name in Lerena. British fight fans will remember him as the man who almost stunned Daniel Dubois in 2022, dropping him three times before being stopped himself in the third round.
Born in Saudi Arabia but based in the USA, Ziyad Almaayouf will look for the fifth win of his short career when he takes on journeyman Christian Lopes Flores. Almaayouf fights at home for the third time and will be expected to enjoy a comfortable night before taking his seat to watch the rest of the action.
Tyson Fury's brother continues his ring education with his fourth professional fight against fellow unbeaten prospect Martin Svarc. But while the Czech may have won his first two fights in the paid ranks, Fury will be expected to ease past him as he continues his early venture into the sport.
Liverpool's Jack McGann fights in Saudi Arabia for the second time in succession having impressed last October with a stunning KO over Alcibiade Duran, son of boxing legend Robert. This time he takes on Kent's Louis Greene who is coming off a defeat by Sam Gilley last year.