Former three-belt heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to make his return to the boxing ring Friday . He will face former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a 10-round main event.
The upcoming matchup between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou is generating significant anticipation, headlining the main card at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the main event scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. Ngannou made headlines in his professional boxing debut last October by pushing WBC champion Tyson Fury to the limit in a disputed split-decision loss. Now, the former UFC champion faces another formidable opponent in Joshua, who seeks his fourth consecutive victory following a loss to Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022, which saw him relinquish the WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles.
In the latest odds, Joshua enters as a -420 favorite, risk $420 to win $100, while Ngannou is at +320. The over/under for total rounds completed is set at 6.5, with both sides offered at -115. Before finalizing any picks for the Joshua vs. Ngannou bout, it’s advisable to consider the boxing predictions and betting advice from SportsLine combat expert Brandon Wise.
Wise, the combat sports editor for CBS Sports, boasts a track record of success in analyzing boxing and mixed martial arts matchups, consistently delivering winning selections for SportsLine members over the past four years. Recently, Wise accurately predicted Jake Paul’s win in Round 1 against Ryan Bourland (+200) and advised taking the Under 1.5 rounds (+120). Both predictions proved correct when Paul secured a knockout near the end of the first round. Following Wise’s combat sports picks has led to substantial returns for those who have been attentive to his insights.
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Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) was once considered a generational heavyweight talent, and he has had an outstanding career even if he has perhaps fallen short of the other-worldly expectations thrust upon him by some boxing observers.
Anthony Joshua, 34, embarked on his professional boxing career in October 2013, initially dominating lesser-known opponents in the early years. His breakthrough moment arrived in April 2017 when he defeated longtime champion Wladimir Klitschko to claim the WBA crown. However, his trajectory suffered a setback in June 2019 with a shocking loss to Andy Ruiz Jr., though he managed to reclaim victory in their rematch six months later. Despite subsequent defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua has rebounded with three wins against aging former contenders.
Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 0-1 boxing) once reigned as one of the UFC’s most prominent stars, renowned for his devastating punching power. However, disputes over pay and promotional opportunities led to his departure from the UFC following a successful title defense against Ciryl Gane in January 2022.
Ngannou’s transition to boxing against Tyson Fury was met with skepticism, yet he showcased resilience and skill, surprising many with his performance. Although the judges favored Fury, Ngannou’s display earned him admiration and garnered interest from the boxing world for future opportunities.
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