Will winner of Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou face victor of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk? Boxing world prepares for major heavyweight contests

05/03/2024 12:30

The winner of Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou’s fight this Friday will likely face either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk next.

Joshua is set to take on MMA icon Ngannou later this week in Saudi Arabia, and there is more than just pride at stake.

Joshua or Ngannou could set up a monster year with victory

AJ is looking to continue his career comeback after back-to-back defeats to Usyk left him in a rut.

Meanwhile, Ngannou is fresh from knocking Fury down in his first professional boxing match and will be looking to KO the Brit.

And for the winner of that one, a date with Fury or Usyk will likely await.

The Gypsy King is finally set to take on the Ukrainian heavyweight later this year after multiple delays and cancellations.

That clash is also going to be in Saudi and will see an undisputed heavyweight champion crowned, with all belts on the line.

Will winner of Joshua vs Ngannou face victor of Fury vs Usyk?

To put it simply, yes, that is the plan.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed that his man would face the winner of Fury and Usyk if he beats Ngannou.

This isn’t his idea but instead from Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Entertainment.

Speaking about the plan to the MMA Hour, Hearn said: "His Excellency said the winner of this fight faces the winner of Fury-Usyk.

“That is a dream chance for us because we chased that for so long.

“AJ is going to beat Francis Ngannou, and then he's going to beat the winner of Fury-Usyk, and he's going to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion.”

Ngannou shocked the world when he knocked Fury down during their contest before controversially losing via split decision

Now, no matter what happens in either of these fights, that leaves us with a fascinating third bout.

If Joshua beats Ngannou, he would either finally face Fury for the first time after several failed negotiations in a proper battle of Britain clash.

Or he could end up against Usyk for a third time.

This would present the Londoner with the perfect opportunity to silence the doubters and finally beat the Ukrainian.

Alternatively, if Ngannou wins and ends Joshua’s immediate hopes of being world champion, we would be left with two excellent encounters.

Whoever wins between Fury and Usyk might not be undisputed champion for very long

We could have Ngannou vs Fury 2, or the former UFC man would take on Usyk.

Incredibly, if Ngannou were to beat Joshua, he would likely have the chance to become undisputed heavyweight world champion in what would be his third professional boxing match.

But plans in boxing have a tendency to go wrong, so until a contract is signed between either winner, there is a chance this incredible scenario doesn’t happen.

However, the Saudis are determined to make themselves a big player in boxing, so they will no doubt do everything they can to ensure this third massive fight happens.