The highly anticipated bout between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou, set to take place in Saudi Arabia on March 8, has stirred discussions about the potential earnings of both athletes.
Official Confirmation of the Fight
The announcement unveiled on Friday night confirmed the clash between the former two-time heavyweight boxing champion Joshua and the ex-UFC titleholder Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou’s Previous Earnings and Boxing Debut
At the outset of 2023, Ngannou made headlines for turning down a three-fight, $8 million (£6.29M) deal in MMA, seeking higher pay elsewhere. He embarked on a new journey, signing a lucrative contract with the Professional Fighters League [PFL] and engaging in a significant boxing match against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Ngannou’s Impressive Income from Fury Bout
Reports suggest that Ngannou garnered $10 million (£7.86M) from his bout against Fury in October 2023, a figure confirmed by Fury himself during a pre-fight press conference. Despite facing a contentious split decision loss, Ngannou’s performance earned him acclaim and marked a substantial increase from his UFC earnings.
Anticipated Earnings for Joshua vs Ngannou Fight
Ngannou’s manager, Marquel Martin, indicates that his earnings for the bout with Joshua will surpass $10 million (£7.86M). Forbes predicts Ngannou’s earnings at $20 million (£15.72M), excluding potential income from pay-per-view sales and sponsorships, which could further augment his earnings.
Joshua’s Expected Earnings and Fight Outcome Prediction
For Joshua, Forbes speculates that while not precise in its estimation, he will likely outearn Ngannou on fight night. According to Derek Chisora, Fury allegedly pocketed $50 million (£39.29M) for his clash with Ngannou, a figure unconfirmed by Fury himself.
Joshua’s Previous Earnings and Future Prospects
Forbes speculates that Joshua might demand a similar sum to Fury’s reported earnings, possibly exceeding $20 million (£15.72M) following his last appearance in Saudi Arabia against Otto Wallin. A win against Ngannou could position Joshua for a shot at the vacant IBF heavyweight title, expected after Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s fight on February 17.
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