Open workouts live stream
Fight week for the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou boxing match on Friday is underway, with open workouts set to take place on Tuesday, MMA Junkie reports.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou will make his second venture into the boxing ring after overachieving in his debut loss to Tyson Fury in February, when he takes on one of the most decorated members of boxing’s heavyweight division, Joshua.
Both men and the undercard, filled with some notable figures, will showcase some of their skills for fans and media at open workouts.
DAZN will offer a free live stream of the festivities at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT, and you can watch the video above.
MMA Junkie will also provide on-site coverage of the open workouts and the rest of Joshua vs. Ngannou fight week.
Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou: Date, fight time, undercard & how to follow on BBC Sport
| Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou |
|---|
| Venue: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Date: Friday, 8 March Time: Approx 23:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Follow live text coverage on the BBC Sport website & app, live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live from 21:00 GMT, daily 5 Live boxing podcasts on BBC Sounds |
Anthony Joshua’s highly anticipated fight with UFC star Francis Ngannou will occur on Friday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. You can follow it live on BBC Sport.
Briton Joshua, 34, has won three fights, while Ngannou, from Cameroon, is taking part in just his second about.
But the reigning heavyweight UFC champion caught everyone’s attention when he dropped Tyson Fury in the third round of their fight in October before losing on a split decision.
Here’s what you need to know about Friday’s fight:
Why is the battle taking place on a Friday?
The fight happens on Friday because it coincides with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on Saturday, 9 March.
It is a 10-round fight, and while the timings are not guaranteed, for followers in the UK, the ring walks for Joshua v Ngannou are expected to start at approximately 23:00 GMT.
Who is on the undercard?
The undercard includes Joseph Parker against Zhilei Zhang for the WBO interim heavyweight title while unbeaten Nick Ball, from Liverpool, takes on Rey Vargas for the WBC featherweight title.
Mark Chamberlain will fight Gavin Gwynne for the European lightweight championship.
- Could Joshua v Ngannou win the fight for an undisputed title next?
How can I follow the fight?
Joshua vs. Ngannou and the preceding undercard between Parker and Zhang will be covered live on the radio.
The radio coverage starts at 21:00 GMT on Friday and is led by Steve Bunce and Adam Smith.
Bunce also hosts daily podcasts on BBC Sounds the week before the fight, with the first episode available now.
The BBC Sport website and app will also provide live text commentary and written reports.
‘The perfect cocktail’ – why is this fight important?
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, a win could take Joshua one step closer to fighting for the undisputed world title.
Champion Fury and Oleksandr Usyk have a two-fight deal in place in Riyadh. The winner will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
But Hearn says if Joshua beats Ngannou, the world will call for him to take on Fury.
Joshua’s likely scenario, should he beat Ngannou, is to challenge for the vacant title against Croatia’s number-one ranked IBF fighter, Filip Hrgovic.
It is another massive opportunity for Ngannou to establish his presence on the boxing circuit.
“AJ knows how to box, Ngannou knows how to fight. This is the perfect cocktail for something special,” said Bunce.
