Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou undercard, running order and exact fight times
Anthony Joshua takes on Francis Ngannou tonight in an intriguing heavyweight showdown - but there are plenty of big fights on the undercard.
Joshua will be expected to see off the challenge of former UFC champion Ngannou, despite the Cameroonian earning plenty of credit in defeat by Tyson Fury last October. But before they walk to the ring in Saudi Arabia, fellow heavyweights Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang will meet in a crossroads clash which will surely force the loser to give up on his world title dreams.
And Liverpool's Nick Ball takes on Rey Vargas in a featherweight world title fight which could see the winner propelled straight into a unification bout. There will also be an appearance from Tyson Fury's brother Roman who takes part in his fourth professional boxing fight. Here is everything you need to know about tonight's undercard...
Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou - 11.20pm
The winner of Joshua and Ngannou's monumental clash has been promised an undisputed world title shot against either Fury or Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua has rebounded after consecutive defeats to Usyk to win his last three fights and looks like a new man under coach Ben Davison. Ngannou vacated his UFC world title and left the promotion last year, but his gamble paid off when he took on Tyson Fury in his boxing debut and, in many people's eyes, won the fight despite not having his hand raised.
Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker - 10.20pm
Zhang has proven to be the boogeyman of the heavyweight division with two knockout wins over Joseph Joyce. Many fans feel that the Chinese giant should be unbeaten as his only defeat was a controversial decision to Filip Hrgovic on the undercard of Joshua's rematch against Usyk. Parker put on the best performance of his career in his last outing as he won a one-sided decision against Deontay Wilder just days before Christmas, ruining plans of a two-fight deal between Joshua and the American.
Eddie Hearn opens talks for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou heavyweight fight
Rey Vargas vs Nick Ball - 9.20pm
In one of the best fights on the entire card tonight, Vargas and Ball will meet for the WBC featherweight world title. Vargas won the belt in 2022 when he was on the right end of a split decision against Mark Magsayo whilst Ball set himself up for a world title shot by outpointing Isaac Dogboe last year. Ball is giving up a massive five inches of height to the world champion.
Israil Madrimov vs Magomed Kurbanov - 8.20pm
There was speculation that Madrimov had a medical issue and his fight against Kurbanov tonight wouldn't go ahead, but thankfully that isn't the case. Madrimov hasn't boxed since last April when he beat Raphael Igbowke in Texas whilst Kurbanov also had just one outing last year as he beat Michel Soro in Russia.
Mark Chamberlain vs Gavin Gwynne - 7.30pm
Chamberlain and Gwynne meet on tonight's undercard for an all-British affair that should be a cracker. After a two-fight series with Craig Woodruff, Gwynne put on an impressive display against Emiliano Marsili at the end of last year. Unbeaten prospect Chamberlain has won his last three fights inside the distance.
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Justis Huni vs Kevin Lerena - 6.20pm
Lerena has won three consecutive fights since almost upsetting the odds against Daniel Dubois on the undercard of Fury's trilogy against Derek Chisora. The South African is fighting in honour of his mother, who tragically passed away earlier this week after battling cancer. Huni is a 24-year-old Australian prospect who is unbeaten in eight professional fights.
Jack McGann vs Louis Greene - 5pm
McGann put together a respectable record of 11-4 in MMA before making the crossover to boxing in 2018 and he is now unbeaten in 10 professional fights. The Scouser is fighting in Saudi Arabia for the second time on the trot as he KO'd the son of boxing legend Roberto Duran in his last outing. Greene has a boxing record of 16-4 and was beaten by Sam Gilley last year.
Roman Fury vs Martin Svarc - 4.40pm
Tyson Fury's brother was thrown into the deep end as he didn't have any amateur experience but fights for the fourth time as a professional tonight. The 27-year-old is set for his toughest challenge so far as he takes on fellow unbeaten prospect Svarc, who won his debut last September by first round KO.
Ziyad Almaayouf vs Christian Lopez Flores - 4.05pm
Almaayouf, who was in Saudi Arabia but fights out of the US, made his professional debut on the undercard of Joshua's rematch against Oleksandr Usyk. Flores is an experienced journeyman who is fighting for the 52nd time against Almaayouf and the Mexican is without a win in his last 15 contests.
Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres - 3.20pm
Unbeaten heavyweight Novytskyi will look for his 10th professional win tonight against Torres, a bare-knuckle boxing and MMA veteran. Torres is on a good run of form having won his last three fights but he is set for a tough task against Novytskyi, giving up a massive five inches in height.
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