Anthony Joshua has been confirmed to fight with former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
According to Skynews, the planned fight was announced by promotional teams Matchroom and Queensberry on Friday night.
It was said that a date for the fight will be confirmed next week, with a press conference planned for January 15 in London.
On December 23, Joshua continued his bid to return to the top of the heavyweight division with a five-round win over Otto Wallin.
He was to fight Deontay Wilder next, but the American lost to Joseph Parker on the same card.
Ngannou had knocked down Tyson Fury in his first professional boxing fight last October.
Fury won a split decision, but Ngannou is now ranked in the WBC’s top 10 of heavyweight contenders.
While speaking after his bout against Wallin, Joshua said, “I’m down to fight anyone. Whenever and whoever.”
Filip Hrgovic, the IBF mandatory challenger, and Zhilei Zhang were also being considered as potential opponents for Joshua’s next fight.
Saudi Arabia will again stage a major heavyweight fight, just weeks after Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed world title fight on February 17.
Commenting on the fight, The Sun’s Charlie Wyett said, “I think so, that it’s the right opponent
“He was obviously hoping it was going to be Deontay Wilder but because of what happened with his fight they have lined this opponent up. It’s a process that’s going to take a while.
“It’s a good fight for him [Joshua], it’s probably going to be on March 9, with the press conference in a few days’ time.
“I think that’s one thing we’re going to have to get used to now for many years to come that all these fights are going to be in Saudi Arabia now.
“But it’s not a surprise that they’ve fixed up a fight for around that time.”
