Fight Preview: Anthony Joshua Vs Francis Ngannou

British boxer Anthony Joshua will face Cameroonian mixed martial artist Francis Ngannou in a heavyweight boxing clash on Friday, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Joshua and Ngannou will meet in a 10-round heavyweight clash, in what promises to be a thrilling bout showcasing power, speed and resilience.

• Read more: Anthony Joshua Vows To Knockout Ngannou

The ceremonial weigh-ins took place on Thursday ahead of Friday’s fight and Joshua tipped the scales at 252.4lbs, almost two stones lighter than Francis Ngannou. Meanwhile, Ngannou weighed in at 272.6lbs, slightly above what he was for the fight against Tyson Fury in October.

Although Joshua promised his fans he “will deliver” ahead of a potential shot at the world heavyweight titles later this year.

“Sometimes when you bow your head and make prayers, miracles do happen, that is all I can say – God is working in my favour,” Joshua said.

“Official prediction…? I deliver – I am the postman.”

Former UFC Heavyweight champions, Ngannou, was similarly respectful but couldn’t resist reminding everybody that he would comfortably beat Anthony Joshua within the Octagon.

“I am the underdog, I am going out there to prove that you can be an underdog and stand your ground,” he said.

“But sometimes it just makes me laugh a little bit, because we are going to fight in boxing rules, but what would happen if it was a ‘free’ fight under MMA rules?

“I would smoke this guy. I am the only one to go in their backyard, none of them can come in my backyard. I would take two of them at once.”

Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) is the favourite, thanks to his massive edge in boxing experience. During a 10-year pro career, the 34-year-old Brit has defeated heavyweights such as Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Andy Ruiz, Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte. Can Joshua become the first man to take out Ngannou?

Ngannou (0-1) shocked the world in October when he floored WBC champion and consensus No. 1 Tyson Fury, before losing a disputed 10-round decision. Can the 37-year-old power puncher go a step further and secure a knockout win over one of the best heavyweights of this generation.?