BRITISH boxing fans are in for a late night after the start time for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou was confirmed.
The Saudi sports federation have confirmed that the ring walks for the fight will start at 11:20pm.
The walks will begin after a musical performance put on by the Saudi state followed by the Saudi national anthem.
AJ and Ngannou’s mega bout will follow on from Zhilei Zhang vs Joseph Parker, which sees the interim WBO Heavyweight Championship being put on the line.
Zhang vs Parker will follow a standard boxing set up of 12 three minute rounds but Joshua vs Ngannou will be just 10.
Yesterday’s weigh-in saw Ngannou come into the bout 20lbs heavier than Joshua.
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The former UFC legend came in at 272.6lbs (19st 6oz) whereas Joshua weighed 252.4lbs (18st).
Both men came in heavier than in their previous fights as they look to get the upper hand in the heavyweight clash.
Ahead of the bout, Joshua had the air of a relaxed figure, saying: “He brings two arms, a body, but his mind is different to everyone else. In terms of his frame and make-up, I’ve seen people like him many times before.
“My main focus is Ngannou and getting through an intense training camp.
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“I have got to take his mind and his spirit, it will be explosive. We can both trade and it will be a good fight.”
Ngannou meanwhile continues to talk with the air of a man with something to prove.
The Cameroon-born star only took his first professional boxing fight last October, where he surprised many by dropping Tyson Fury in the third round of their fight.
Many thought Ngannou was hard done by to lose by decision but he’s confident in taking victory this time against Joshua, saying: “Of course I think I can beat him. I called for the fight. I am here to beat him and that’s why I came over here.
“I’ve been calling for these kind of fights for four years. I’m not here to show up, I am here to take over. It might sound crazy. It might sound irrational. But that’s what I am committed to and that is what I want.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
