Francis Ngannou is set to bank another eight-figure pay cheque for his upcoming fight against Anthony Joshua after netting a similar amount for his clash with Tyson Fury in October.
Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is set to meet Joshua on March 8 in Saudi Arabia, in just his second ever professional boxing match, having taken Fury the distance in a contentious points loss on debut.
The Cameroonian reportedly took home a whopping $10m (£7.8m) against ‘The Gypsy King’ and is now set to top that when he meets ‘AJ’, with the bout set to be formally announced at a press conference in London on Monday.
The 37-year-old’s manager, Marquel Martin confirmed that he will be securing an eight-figure purse and Forbes have predicted that even before pay-per-view and bonuses are factored in, ‘The Predator’ could secure an estimated $20m (£15.7m).
“Francis is the baddest man on the planet and his pay reflects it,” Martin told Sports Business Journal in a text message.
“And the best part is he’s earned every penny.
“[I] couldn’t be more happy for him.”
Former two-time heavyweight world champion, Joshua starts at least a 1/4 favourite to defeat the MMA star and will return to Saudi Arabia just over two months on from his fifth round victory over Otto Wallin.
The 34-year-old had already signed to fight Deontay Wilder prior to beating Wallin, but the long-awaited showdown was scuppered following the American’s defeat to Joseph Parker, allowing Ngannou to step in.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn previously criticised Ngannou as an opponent for Fury, but feels his performance against the WBC heavyweight world champion now make him a dangerous proposition.
“Everyone’s going to play my previous clips,” Hearn told The MMA Hour.
“That Francis Ngannou couldn’t win an English title, before he fought Tyson Fury.
“I feel like he’s earned that shot or certainly to continue at that level and I fancy that fight.
“Like you’ve heard me say before, I really believe AJ knocks him out, but it is a dangerous fight.
“I know this guy is a big, big lump that can really punch and I think he has no fear which makes him dangerous.
“But I just feel like AJ’s in a great place and I expect him to pick him apart and knock him out.”
