The promotion for Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou has involved a video game-like marketing plan, showcasing their power and intimidating personas. The hope is their fight on March 8 in Saudi Arabia can result in a unique experience that many will remember.
Joshua and Ngannou compete not just for bragging rights but for the potential opportunity to become the next contenders for heavyweight gold. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Ustyk compete in the first undisputed heavyweight title fight since 1999 on May 18. Joshua has experience against Usyk, going 0-2 against the Ukrainian, while Ngannou knocked down Fury in their fight in October.
The Fury-Ngannou fight ended in a Fury win, but it delayed plans for the heavyweight division. Ngannou defied expectations in his boxing debut after years competing in MMA. Can he do the same against a resurgent Joshua, who is on a three-fight win streak?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made it a point to make this a special event, with luminaries from the worlds of sports and entertainment invited to watch. It has been the case with several fight nights Saudi Arabia has staged since making its mark in the combat sports world. Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion, is ready to observe the fight, with his brother Roman competing on the undercard.
WATCH: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou, exclusively live on DAZN
Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Riyadh-based soccer team Al Nassr, was expected to be at the fight. The forward gave Ngannou a watch valued at $134,000 by jewellery company Jacob & Co. before he faced Fury.
However, CR7 is instead attending qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which is taking place in Jeddah this weekend. His namesake and Brazilian soccer great Ronaldo Nazario is expected to be ringside.
Boxing has a lucrative recent history with The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and each event tends to bring out a variety of celebrities, from movie stars to athletes. Here is a full list of celebrities who are in Saudi Arabia to watch Joshua vs. Ngannou. The Sporting News will provide updates when more names are known.
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou celebrity guest list
- Mike Tyson
- Tyson Fury
- Manny Pacquiao
- Conor Benn
- Chris Eubank Jr.
- Teddy Atlas
- Ronaldo Nazario
- David Haye
- Kell Brook
- Alistair Overeem
- Jose Mourinho