THE boxing world turns its attention to Saudi Arabia again this Friday when Anthony Joshua steps into the ring with Francis Ngannou. The fight will headline Friday’s Knockout Chaos show, the latest in a string of major events to take place as part of Riyadh Season.
Francis Ngannou shocked the world with his breathtaking display against Tyson Fury back in October, and fight fans are eager to see what he can do against an in-form AJ. Will Joshua make the same mistakes as Fury? Does Ngannou really have what it takes to dine at the top table of heavyweight boxing? Keep reading to find out my thoughts in this Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou betting preview.
Current Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou odds
Friday’s fight promises to be an explosive encounter. Ngannou was impressive against Tyson Fury and finds himself at much shorter odds in his second fight. Of course, Joshua is the more experienced boxer and is still the clear favourite.
- Anthony Joshua to win at 2/7 with bet365
- Francis Ngannou to win at 11/4 with BetVictor
- Draw at 33/1 with Spreadex
Odds are provided by our expert's best-rated boxing betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
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????♂️ Anthony Joshua’s latest matches and form
Anthony Joshua’s dominant display against Otto Wallin in December was the best I have seen the former champion look in years. He dominated a man that Tyson Fury had struggled to put away four years earlier, demanding the respect of pundits who had written him off in the process. The performance topped off a strong year for AJ following wins over Robert Helenius and Jermaine Franklin earlier in 2023.
AJ looked ferocious under his new trainer Ben Davison, and will want to make a statement on Friday night. While fans initially wanted to see a title match for Hrgovic’s IBF Heavyweight Championship, a confident performance against a fighter that made Tyson Fury look poor several months ago would also be a huge step in the right direction.
????♂️ Francis Ngannou's latest matches and form
Francis Ngannou left me, and most of the world, with their jaw on the floor when he dropped Tyson Fury in the third round of their fight in October. Everyone had written the former UFC Heavyweight Champion off before the bell rang, and he ended up only losing to an unbeaten Fury by a split decision. In fact, many pundits argue he had the better of the champ and that the result went the wrong way.
Everyone’s eye will be glued on Ngannou on Friday. He looked like a natural in his first fight, but there are still plenty of questions about how seriously Fury took it. Ngannou no doubt took advantage of his opponent’s lack of respect, but I can’t see AJ making those same mistakes.
Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou betting tips and odds
If Francis Ngannou has proven himself to be one thing, it’s unpredictable. He shocked the world with his performance against Tyson Fury, which makes predicting the outcome of his fight with Joshua more difficult. Here are some of my picks for the best bets to place on Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou.
Anthony Joshua by decision at 5/2 (BetUK)
Everybody expected Francis Ngannou to get knocked out against Tyson Fury, and in the end, it nearly ended up being Fury who was out for the count. Ngannou is a fierce fighter, and AJ will be more than aware of his power. He will not want to get close enough to give the former UFC champion the opportunity to knock him out and will look to do the one thing he is sure he can do: outbox him. If you want to back Anthony Joshua to win by decision, he is available at 5/2 with BetUK.
???? Bet on Anthony Joshua by decision at 5/2 with Bet UK ????
Total knockdowns over 1.5 at evens (BetVictor)
Friday’s show is being billed as ‘Knockout Chaos’, and given the power of the two fighters involved in this match, the chances of a knockdown feel high. Ngannou is such a wildcard that predicting what kind of performance we will get from him in Riyadh is extremely difficult. Given that he and AJ both have such knockout potential, a bet on over 1.5 knockdowns at evens with BetVictor is very tempting
???? Bet on total knockdowns over 1.5 at evs. with BetVictor ????
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Francis Ngannou by KO, TKO, or disqualification at 15/4 (bet365)
As I’ve already mentioned, Francis Ngannou is a total wildcard in the heavyweight division at the moment. He could step into the ring on Friday and get absolutely schooled by Anthony Joshua, or he could catch his opponent with one of his fabled knockout punches and steal headlines worldwide. The odds of that happening, according to bet365 are 15/4, and after the Fury fight, it feels like anything is possible. If you want to go with an outside bet, back Francis Ngannou to win by KO, TKO, or disqualification.
???? Bet on Francis Ngannou to win by KO, TKO, or disqualification at 15/4 with bet365 ????
???? How to bet on Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou
If you want to bet on Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou this week, follow these steps:
- Head over to your preferred bookmaker. If you are looking for a new bookmaker, sign up using one of the links provided in this guide.
- If you are a new customer, remember to claim your welcome bonus.
- Click on the A-Z sports section and find boxing.
- Locate the Knockout Chaos card and select the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou fight.
- Make the selection you want and add it to your betting slip.
- Double-check that everything is correct before hitting confirm and placing your bet.
- Grab some popcorn and get ready to enjoy some Knockout Chaos!
???? Who is the favourite to win, Anthony Joshua or Francis Ngannou?
Anthony Joshua is the favourite heading into Friday’s fight. The former Heavyweight Champion is priced at 2/7 with bet365, with Ngannou at 11/4.
????️ What’s the weight category of the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou fight?
Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou is a heavyweight fight. Both fighters are huge, physically imposing figures. Ngannou weighed in at 272.1lbs for his last fight against Fury, while AJ weighed in at 251lbs.
???? Who has more professional matches, Anthony Joshua or Francis Ngannou?
Anthony Joshua is a significantly more experienced boxer than Francis Ngannou. AJ has had 30 professional fights, coming into Friday’s bout with a record of 27-3-0. Ngannou, on the other hand, has only had one professional boxing match: his split decision loss to Tyson Fury in October.
Of course, Ngannou is an experienced MMA fighter. He has fought in the Octagon 20 times, winning 17 and losing three.
Who has more wins in their professional career, Anthony Joshua or Francis Ngannou?
As I’ve mentioned, AJ is a much more experienced boxer. He has won 17 fights, while Ngannou is yet to register his first professional win.
Who has more KOs in their career, Anthony Joshua or Francis Ngannou?
Both Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou are known for their knockout ability. Of course, Joshua has a much higher KO record in the boxing ring, having won 24 of his 27 fights by KO. Ngannou, however, is famous for having the most powerful punch in the world. He managed to win 14 of his 20 MMA fights by KO.
What’s on the line if Anthony Joshua or Francis Ngannou wins?
There is nothing on the line for Anthony Joshua or Francis Ngannou in the fight. However, the heavyweight division in Saudi Arabia is starting to feel like its own mini-league, and the winner of this fight will no doubt be able to secure another big day in the Middle East.
If AJ wins, he could name several opponents, with a title showdown with Filip Hrgović potentially on the cards soon. He may also challenge the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk in May.
If Ngannou wins, it would shock the world and cement his position as a serious threat in the Heavyweight division. A strong performance from Ngannou would also benefit him, with future fights with the likes of Deontay Wilder being a serious possibility.
Are there any undercard fights that you should pay attention to?
If you’re looking for some exciting boxing to keep you occupied until the main event, Knockout Chaos does not disappoint. The show’s penultimate fight is a mouthwatering showdown between Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker, two of the best heavyweight fighters in the world throughout 2023.
Both men arrive in Riyadh off the back of sensational wins. Zhang was last seen in September when he sensationally beat Joe Joyce with one of the knockouts of the year at Wembley Arena, while Parker’s last match saw him decimate Deontay Wilder to put the heavyweight division on notice. Zhang is currently the favourite, with BetUK pricing him at 11/25, with Parker at 7/4 with BetVictor.
Rey Vargas will put his WBC Featherweight Title on the line against Nick Ball earlier in the night. Vargas comes in with a 36-1 record, while Ball is unbeaten in his 19 fights, scoring 11 knockouts. It promises to be one of the night’s most exciting encounters, with bookies favouring the challenger to win. If you want to back Nick Ball to win, he is available at 8/15 with bet365, while Rey Vargas is priced at 6/4 to retain his belt.
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