- Anthony Joshua has won 24 bouts by knockout
- Francis Ngannou has won 12 fights by knockout in MMA
- Recommended bet: Over 1.5 total knockdowns

Heavyweight star Anthony Joshua will look to move one step closer to another world title bout when he faces crossover fighter Francis Ngannou in Riyadh on Friday night (ring walk expected around 23:00 GMT, coverage on Sky Sports Box Office).

The British star has got back to winning ways in recent months, triumphing in three fights on the bounce, and he will want to put on a show as he tries to do better than Tyson Fury, who secured an unconvincing win over Ngannou in October 2023.

Ngannou may have only competed in one professional boxing fight, but he did himself proud and many expect him to be competitive this week.

Joshua hoping to make a statement in Riyadh

Two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua has the spotlight on him once again this week, but he has been here time and time again.

However, unlike his previous bouts, Joshua is facing an MMA fighter who wants to conquer the boxing world.

Since turning professional in 2013, only Oleksandr Usyk has managed to get the better of Joshua without the Londoner getting revenge.

He has fought the best of the best, but still, he is considered second to Fury in the British heavyweight ranks, but after the Gypsy King's mediocre display against Ngannou last year, Joshua now has the chance to get tongues wagging for the right reasons.

His link-up with trainer Ben Davison may prove to be a stroke of genius if he fights Fury in the future, but Joshua will be doing everything he can to set the standard against boxing's new star.

Ngannou has nothing to lose

When Ngannou faced Fury in October, many expected him to be embarrassed on the night.

Within nine minutes of their bout, Ngannou got the world's attention when he sent Fury crashing to the canvas.

To plenty of fans, he was robbed of a career-defining win, but Ngannou's stock rose that night, and he has earned himself another crack at a world-class heavyweight.

Ngannou's timing on the night against Fury was immaculate and it was the Brit who looked like he had not prepared for the contest properly.

Joshua has been vulnerable in the past, so if Ngannou can send Fury to the canvas, there's every chance Joshua may have to get up off the deck as well.

Prediction

As the more experienced boxer, Joshua should be able to dictate the pace of the fight and it is the tempo that may decide the outcome.

Ngannou was able to box at his tempo thanks to Fury's lack of fitness, but Joshua wants to finally burst out of Fury's shadow in the eyes of the British public.

Both men have the power needed to end the fight with one punch, and Ngannou has yet to be stopped in MMA or as a boxer. Joshua's power cannot be questioned, as his record shows.

Ngannou will have every faith he can send Joshua tumbling, and this is a matchup that features two of the biggest punchers in combat sports, so backing knockdowns feels like the best way to go.

Back Over 1.5 knockdowns at 6/5 with LiveScore Bet