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Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is gearing up for his second professional boxing match against ex-champ Anthony Joshua, but he remains the underdog, according to the opening odds released for their upcoming bout.
The fight, reportedly scheduled for March 9 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has garnered attention as Ngannou seeks to make a mark in the boxing world.
Anthony Joshua: -500
Francis Ngannou: +325
These odds indicate that Joshua is heavily favored to win the bout, with an 83 percent chance of victory implied by the odds. A $100 bet on Joshua would yield a $20 return. In contrast, Ngannou is seen as the underdog with a 25 percent chance of winning, offering a potential return of $325 on a $100 bet.
Despite being the underdog, Ngannou's odds are more favorable than they were for his previous boxing match against Tyson Fury, where he opened at +750 against Fury's -1400. Despite a valiant effort that included knocking Fury down, Ngannou lost via split decision in a highly competitive bout.
The matchup between Joshua and Ngannou comes after Joshua's planned fight with Deontay Wilder fell through following Wilder's loss to Joseph Parker. With the change in opponents, Ngannou now finds himself in a pivotal position, aiming to make a statement in the boxing world.
A press conference to formally announce the Joshua vs. Ngannou fight is scheduled for January 15 in London, adding to the anticipation surrounding this high-profile bout.