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Anthony Joshua is set to face Francis Ngannou in a highly anticipated match on March 8, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Joshua, a former world heavyweight champion, is aiming to continue his unbeaten streak following his victory over Otto Wallin last December. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion and now competing in MMA for the Professional Fighters League, had his boxing debut last October against Tyson Fury. The event, dubbed 'Knockout Chaos,' will feature a 10-round non-title bout.

The fight is scheduled on a Friday to avoid clashing with the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix happening the next day. This strategic scheduling is part of Saudi Arabia's larger ambition to become a prime destination for global sporting events. The bout will be available for viewing in the UK and Ireland on Sky Box Office, with a pay-per-view fee for Sky customers at £19.95 or €24.95 for those in the Irish Republic. Outside Britain and Ireland, the match can be watched on DAZN for a PPV fee of £19.99.

The undercard lineup includes several notable fights, such as Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker for the WBO interim heavyweight title and Rey Vargas vs Nick Ball for the WBC featherweight title, among others. Anthony Joshua is the favorite to win, but the match is expected to be highly competitive, given Ngannou's performance against Fury where he managed to knock Fury down in the third round despite eventually losing the match.

This fight is more than just a sporting event; it represents the growing presence of big-fight boxing in Saudi Arabia, backed by significant investment and interest from local authorities. This match is part of a broader effort to enhance the region's appeal as a major venue for international sporting events​​​.