Joshua gets shot at undisputed title

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Anthony Joshua said he is hoping a fight against ex-mixed martial arts fighter Francis Ngannou will lead to a shot at becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Former heavyweight world champion Joshua will face Ngannou in just his second professional bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 8 March.

Three weeks prior to that fight, Tyson Fury takes Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh for the right to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

Joshua won all three of his fights in 2023 as he bids to return to the top of the heavyweight division, with his most impressive performance coming in a fifth-round stoppage of Otto Wallin last month.

Cameroon-born Ngannou only made his professional boxing debut in October, when he knocked down World Boxing Confederation champion Fury before losing a close decision.

"Every fight leads to somewhere, so this fight is my everything and we will see where it leads me," said Joshua as the fighters faced off at a press conference in London.

"I have got to take his mind and his spirit, it will be explosive. We can both trade and it will be a good fight."

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn did not hide from his ambitions for the former Olympic champion.

"If you can imagine the winner of this fight against the winner of Fury v Usyk, it's been a long dream of Anthony and his team to be undisputed."

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Ngannou has another shot at one of the biggest names in the sport after nearly ending Fury's unbeaten record.