Another blockbuster evening of boxing takes place in Saudi Arabia this Friday, and Anthony Joshua tops a long card at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, as he meets former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou over a scheduled ten rounds.
Joshua vs Ngannou is live on a multitude of platforms, including Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN in the UK.
Ngannou (0-1) of course is coming off a unique boxing debut, where he wasn’t expected to trouble WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in their crossover meeting last October.
He more than troubled the Gypsy King, dropping him in the third before losing a disputed split decision over ten rounds. This now represents an opportunity for Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) to one-up his long-time domestic rival with a statement win here.
Joshua has breathed new life into his career of late after losing his unified title to Oleksandr Usyk, and then again to the Ukrainian in a rematch in August 2022.
After laboured performances in wins against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius in 2023, ‘AJ’ moved to join forces with Ben Davidson, and the result was an emphatic fifth round retirement win against Otto Wallin in December.
Prediction: This should represent the perfect chance for Joshua to gate-crash the world title scene once more, and I expect Ngannou to come out firing. Once Joshua weathers some early crude Ngannou work, I fancy the Watford man to score a knockout win inside the first four rounds.
Zhang takes on Parker in another fascinating heavyweight affair:
Another heavyweight clash sees Zhilei Zhang (26-1-1, 21 KOs) put his interim WBO title on the line against former WBO champion, Joseph Parker (34-3, 23 KOs).
Both come into this one on the back of eye-catching wins. Zhang halted Joe Joyce in six last April, and went even better in September, as he knocked ‘The Juggernaut’ out in three rounds.
Zhilei Zhang KNOCKS OUT Joe Joyce! 🥊 💥#ZhangJoyce pic.twitter.com/jfvUnFBvkg
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) September 23, 2023
Parker seemed to be plodding along after eleven to Joyce in September 2022, but he breathed new life into his career in December 2023, dominating and diffusing Deontay Wilder in a wide points win.
Prediction: Parker really impressed in dealing with Wilder, and I think Zhang’s best chance is early. Once Parker negates the first half, he can win clearly on the scorecards, or by late retirement.
Ball gets chance for world honours against Vargas:
Nick Ball (19-0, 11 KOs) gets a real acid test, as he takes on WBC featherweight champion, Rey Vargas (36-1, 22 KOs). Vargas served as WBC super bantamweight champion from 2017 to 2019, and then moved up to featherweight, where he got off the canvas to take a split decision and the WBC belt with a split decision nod against Mark Magsayo.
Vargas showed signs of decline when moving to super featherweight last time out, as he was clearly outscored by O’Shaquie Foster for the vacant WBC crown.
Ball finds himself at world level after four defences of the Silver title, the last an impressive points win against former world champion Isaac Dogboe in November in Manchester.
Nick Ball on why he stands up in between rounds:
“I’ll sit down when the job’s done.” 🥶 pic.twitter.com/OQrEPXluoD
— Dev Sahni (@devsahni) March 1, 2024
Prediction: This is a big ask, but it looks like Ball has got his shot at Vargas at just the right time, and he can take the title on the cards.
Further world title action and more heavyweight dust ups – rest of undercard:
The vacant WBA super welterweight title is up for grabs, as Israil Madrimov (9-0-1, 6 KOs) meets Magomed Kurbanov (25-0, 13 KOs). The contest was nearly Madrimov scan, but after a second opinion, it goes ahead.
Talented Uzbek Madrimov was last seen in April 2023, widely winning on the cards over ten against Raphael Igbokwe, while Kurbanov holds a win over Liam Smith, and shaded a split decision against Michel Soro last May.
Prediction: Madrimov can become new champion via decision.
Mark Chamberlain (14-0, 10 KOs) gets to showcase his skills in a tough twelve rounder against Gavin Gwynne (17-2-1, 5 KOs).
Gwynne is a former British and Commonwealth champion, and is the current European champion after snapping the long, unbeaten record of Emiliano Marsili in December with a retirement win to take the vacant strap.
An emotional Gavin Gwynne on his European glory tonight 👏#GwynneMarsili pic.twitter.com/HnLUsyIK58
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) December 1, 2023
Prediction: Chamberlain is fresh off a tenth round stoppage of Artjoms Ramlavs in November, and he can take a points win in this one.
In ten round action, Aussie heavyweight hope Justis Huni (8-0, 4 KOs) can halt Kevin Lerena (30-2, 14 KOs), and at super welterweight, Jack McGann (9-0-1, 6 KOs)should outscore Louis Greene (16-4. KO10).
The only eight rounder is at heavyweight, where Andrii Novytskyi (9-0, 8 KOs) can win early against Juan Torres (11-5-1, 4 KOs), and the sole six rounder is at super lightweight. Ziyad Almaayouf (4-0, 1 KO) should take a points win against Christian Lopez Flores (14-35-2, 12 KOs).
There is one four round bout, and Roman Fury (3-0, 1 KO) can remain unbeaten with a stoppage win at heavyweight against Martin Svarc (2-0, 1 KO).
