Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou: How to Watch, Betting Odds & Prediction

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Tomos Ivers

Former UFC star Francis Ngannou (0-1, 0 KOs) will take on former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) on Friday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The winner of the contest will likely face the winner of the undisputed showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, which is set to be rearranged for this summer. 

How to Watch Joshua vs Ngannou in the UK:

British fight fans can watch the fight live on Sky Sports Box Office or DAZN PPV, with coverage set to get underway at 4pm. Main event ring-walks are expected to take place at around 11pm UK time.

Recent Form:

Joshua comes into this contest on the back of three consecutive victories since back-to-back defeats to WBA, IBF and WBO Heavyweight champion Usyk.

The former champion looks to be back to his old ruthless self after he brutally forced Otto Wallin to retire on his stool after five rounds in December.

Ngannou meanwhile is competing in just his second boxing match but will be hoping to pick up his first win following a controversial split-decision defeat to Fury last year.

The MMA star dropped the Briton on route to the defeat, with many fans believing the former UFC champion should have got the decision.

Undercard:

Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker – 12 x 3 (Heavyweight)

Rey Vargas vs Nick Ball – 12 x 3 (WBC featherweight title)

Mark Chamberlain vs Gavin Gwynne – 12 x 3 (Lightweight)

Jack McGann vs Louis Greene – 10 x 3 (Super-welterweight)

Justis Huni vs Kevin Lerena – 10 x 3 (Heavyweight)

Andrii Novytskyi vs Juan Torres – 8 x 3 (Heavyweight)

Ziyad Almaayouf vs Christian Lopez Flores – 6 x 3 (Super-lightweight)

Roman Fury vs Martin Svarc – 4 x 3 (Heavyweight)

Betting Odds:

Joshua enters as a clear favourite on the moneyline. William Hill and BetFred are offering the former champion at 2/7 with a 77.8% implied probability of him winning.

Ngannou comes in as a big underdog at 10/3 with PaddyPower and Betfair, carrying a 23.08% implied probability of him getting his hand raised. 

The draw stands at 33/1 with Betfair, carrying a 2.94% implied probability.

Prediction:

Joshua looks back to his viscious best and seems to have been given a new lease of life under new coach Ben Davison. However, the former champion's only notable win last year came against Wallin among reports suggesting the Swede had struggled to prepare for the encounter.

Ngannou is still a novice to the sport of boxing but will have taken great confidence in his first fight against Fury. The MMA star showed great skills and chin in that controversial defeat, but it did look like the WBC champion overlooked his counterpart.

OddsNow back Joshua to make a statement early, doing what his fierce rival couldn’t and stopping Ngannou.

OddsNow's Pick: Joshua TKO/KO between rounds 1-2 (10/1 @ vBet)

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