Boxing Fight Odds between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou
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Early in January 2024, fight promoter Eddie Hearn made the thrilling announcement that heavyweight boxer Francis Ngannou would face Anthony Joshua.
This Saturday, March 9, they will square off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There will be ten rounds in all.
Ngannou, often known as The Predator, was the heavyweight champion of the UFC until he decided to turn pro in boxing in 2023. Ngannou maintained his heavyweight title in the UFC.
In October of last year, he was the +1100 underdog against The Gypsy King but managed to hold his own against Tyson Fury in their first boxing bout, which ended in a split decision.
In the third round, he submitted Fury.
After turning down a UFC offer that would have given him the highest-paid heavyweight in the promotion’s history, Ngannou’s boxing career got off to a good start.
The 37-year-old Cameroonian is back in Riyadh now, determined to build on his debut and establish his eligibility.
Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion who is two inches taller than Ngannou, will make it difficult. The 34-year-old British fighter has won three fights in a row, most recently on December 23, when he submitted Otto Wallin via TKO after five rounds.
Twenty-four of Joshua’s 27 career wins have come via knockout. Only three fights have he lost.
In Joshua vs. Ngannou, who is the favorite?
At FanDuel Sportsbook, Ngannou began as a significant underdog with +470 odds, while Joshua opened as a -550 favorite. Joshua had tightened to a -470 favorite by mid-February, with Ngannou at +380, suggesting that bettors preferred the bargain on Ngannou.
Even with the rather unfair odds, bookmakers now regard Ngannou more highly in light of his impressive performance against Fury.
After Joseph Parker defeated Deontay Wilder in December, Joshua’s original plan to face the adversary in March was shelved.
Joshua is anticipated to endorse the Ngannou bout at a press conference that is set for January 15 in London. Joshua and Ngannou are likely to be quite respectful of one another.
