'Gangster AF': Pros react to Francis Ngannou booking Anthony Joshua fight
06/01/2024 00:11
Francis Ngannou is back at it again.
The former UFC heavyweight champion is set to face two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua later this year in a blockbuster 10-round boxing match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An official date for the bout has yet to be announced, however a kickoff press conference is already slated for January 15 in London.
It's yet another massive coup for Ngannou, who made his professional boxing debut with a stunning performance against Tyson Fury this past October. Despite being universally counted out for the bout, Ngannou gave Fury one of the toughest tests of his boxing career, dropping the lineal heavyweight king in the third round before ultimately losing a controversial split decision. Ngannou's longtime representative Marquel Martin told MMA Fighting in November that "The Predator" earned "multiples upon multiples upon multiples" more for the Fury bout than he did as UFC heavyweight champion.
Now Ngannou is set for another monster payday in his second sport. Check out reaction to Friday's news and the Joshua vs. Ngannou announcement below.
Making big moves in the new year ♟️
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) January 5, 2024
2024 is going to be
Tonight we confirm it's a Done Deal! @anthonyjoshua v @francis_ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - press conference Jan 15 in London with full details dropping soon!#JoshuaNgannou@Turki_alalshikh@MatchroomBoxing@Queensberry#RiyadhSeason
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) January 5, 2024
Another historic night for @RiyadhSeason!
— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) January 5, 2024
Press conference and fight date news coming soon. Can't wait for it all to get started!@Turki_alalshikh@MatchroomBoxing#JoshuaNgannouhttps://t.co/JWnbTGmPzx
Confirmed: @anthonyjoshua vs @francis_ngannou is signed to take place during @RiyadhSeason
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 5, 2024
Fight date and Kick-off press conference details to be released next week! #JoshuaNgannou@Turki_alalshikh | @Queensberrypic.twitter.com/igCl6Jfq9Z
Francis Ngannou rocking up to Riyadh like… #JoshuaNgannoupic.twitter.com/UqQPyUQIHo
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) January 5, 2024
"GIMIK" ☕️ https://t.co/1WMVVpDFwS
— Time (@Marquel_Martin) January 5, 2024
They will write songs…
— Time (@Marquel_Martin) January 5, 2024
Whaaaat? Wow did not expect that! https://t.co/gbk7M4bzi3
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) January 5, 2024
Whoooooa! @francis_ngannou v Joshua is Official!! First he took out Fury is Joshua next? https://t.co/XbmnRSQXcK
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) January 5, 2024
Breaking News!! @filthbombbreakspic.twitter.com/lPNFg88sOT
— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) January 5, 2024
Wow. Mannnnn good for Francis https://t.co/QxmQBDbrP3
— Randy Costa (@RandyCosta135) January 5, 2024
Francis Ngannou fighting Anthony Joshua in his 2nd boxing match its gangster af!
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) January 5, 2024
He's fighting guys who won't even fight each other pic.twitter.com/UujW6qvsJ4
Fair play to Francis ngannou, two heavyweight top dogs back to back
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) January 5, 2024
Hes some boy
— Paul Redmond (@RedserMma) January 5, 2024
Francis Ngannou is one of the greatest sports stories ever.
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) January 5, 2024