What are the rules for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou? Rounds, time, weight and more for Saudi clash

Anthony Joshua is set to take on Francis Ngannou next week and the rules are set for the crossover boxing match.

This will be just Ngannou’s second professional boxing fight after being controversially beaten by Tyson Fury in his first.

The Cameroonian knocked Fury down but lost via split decision when many neutrals thought he should have won.

Joshua is currently in the midst of a comeback with three straight victories, including an impressive win against Otto Wallin last time out.

AJ wants to make 2024 a special year, so he can’t afford to lose to Ngannou.

What are the rules for Joshua vs Ngannou?

This contest will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday, March 8.

It is set to be ten, three-minute rounds rather than 12.

Most professional boxing fights are 12 rounds, but this one is ten at Ngannou’s request.

The UFC legend’s fight with Fury was also ten rounds.

4

However, the situation did confuse Joshua until his opponent clarified exactly what was happening.

Speaking ahead of the bout, Joshua said: “I’m ready for ten rounds or 12 rounds, ten rounds, yeah? I’m ready for ten rounds.”

The Brit was then asked why the fight was only ten rounds, and Ngannou responded.

He said: “They told me 12 and I said ‘No, cut it out.’

“I’m not taking a Mike Tyson fight as a reference like ‘Oh, I’m a pro boxer now’.

“No, I’m building it up. I just came into it, they asked for ten rounds or 12 rounds, and I said ten.”

4

The rounds will be three minutes, meaning these two could be slugging it out for a total of 30 minutes should it go the distance.

It’s set to be a standard boxing match fought at heavyweight.

Once the fight was confirmed, Ngannou hinted he wanted some sort of mixed event, but that’s not happening.

Speaking about it in December 2023, he said: “Anything that he wants. Ring or octagon.

“The good thing is I’m the one that can go everywhere comfortably. My comfort zone will be the octagon, but I’m going to the ring and putting them in a bad spot in the ring.

“I have my territory [in MMA] where they cannot mess with me. If they come, they will need something like some favour, like, ‘I’ll give you this, we’ll take kicks out.’

“I have to give him something, but when we step in the ring, they don’t give me anything, and I still get them in trouble.”

4