The winner of Anthony Joshua’s fight with Francis Ngannou will challenge the victor of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed heavyweight title clash later this year, promoter Frank Warren has announced.

Two-time heavyweight world champion Joshua, on Monday, had his bout with former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou confirmed for March 8, 2024, in Saudi Arabia, three weeks after WBO, IBF, and WBA belt-holder Usyk takes on WBC titlist Fury in Riyadh.

Most had expected that the undisputed clash would be followed by a rematch, but at Monday’s Joshua-Ngannou press conference in London, it was suggested the winners of the two fights could be matched next.

Turki Alalshikh of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, who has brokered a series of high-profile fights in Riyadh, said: “You will see the result of this match will connect about the result of the 17 February – this is our idea.”

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Warren then added: “For the winner, the big fight’s happening on February 17, with Tyson and Usyk.

“The winner of that – would we like to see them with the winner of this fight? Everybody in boxing would love to see that.

“So everybody has got something to aim for. It’s huge a moment of excitement for boxing.”

Having lost his titles to Usyk in 2021 before falling to a rematch defeat almost a year later, Joshua has rebuilt with three successive victories.

The most recent of which, a dominant stoppage victory over Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia in December, reignited hopes the 34-year-old can become world champion for a third time.

However, in an apparent nod to his continued desire for an all-British contest with Fury, Joshua suggested becoming world champion again is not his biggest motivation.

He said: “I’m not really too concerned about the world, I’m trying to conquer where I live.

“I just want to conquer here and make everyone know I’m the one who puts boxing on the map.”

The Star