The Anthony Joshua vs Francis Naganno battle has been "formalized", and according to numerous media reports, the two sides will face off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 8. There has been enough attention paid to this contest, and the organizers are convinced that the tournament can bring huge profits.
"Iron Blood" Naganno was a former UFC giant, but unfortunately his income in the Octagon has been embarrassing, never exceeding six figures. At the beginning of last year, Nganno left the UFC angrily, when UFC president Dana White threw him three contracts totaling $8 million in order to keep him.
Now it seems that Nganno was perfectly right to leave the UFC, at least he was rewarded with an unprecedented amount of gratuity. As we all know, in the "crossover fight" with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury last October, Nganno was extremely successful, and despite losing to his opponent on points, his performance won everyone's recognition, and at the same time received a huge appearance fee of $10 million, which is more than the total income he has earned over the years in the UFC arena, no wonder Nganno is happy to keep his mouth shut.
Now, the time for Nganno's earnings is here again, and according to Forbes magazine, the two will split $70 million. Forbes magazine reported that the battle between Nganno and Joshua will double the remuneration compared to the previous meeting with Fury, and it is expected to receive a $20 million appearance fee, mainly due to his excellent performance against Fury and the extraordinary market value that Joshua has.
Nganno could get $20 million and Joshua would get the remaining $50 million, and if that's true, both Nganno and Joshua would set the record for the highest appearance fee in their respective careers.
It is understood that Fury fought with Naganno a few months ago, and the honorarium was both $50 million, and now Joshua is equal to Fury in this regard. Joshua originally planned to face the "Bronze Bomber" Deonte Wilder in March, but unfortunately with Wilder's unexpected loss to Joseph Parker, the battle between the two came to naught, according to previous reports, if Joshua and Wilder face off, the two will each have a appearance fee of $50 million, and now Wilder is out, Joshua is still playing against the more safe Nganno with $50 million, and it is estimated that he has already blossomed in his heart.
Joshua's previous highest remuneration was a 2019 rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr., with a guaranteed appearance fee of $39 million, and the second highest earning was a rematch with Olekosandr Usyk in 2022, with a guaranteed appearance fee of $38 million, and if his fight with Nganno did reach $50 million, then it would be absolutely gratifying.
The battle between Joshua and Nganno seemed to have gone smoothly, and it seemed that an agreement was reached overnight, because both sides desperately needed the contest. For Joshua, this is a battle to make a lot of money and low risk, and for Nganno, it is also a battle to make a lot of money, even if you lose, it is worth it, after all, it is a loss to a strong player like Joshua, not to mention that he may not be able to lose, so the outside world thinks that this is more like a "business war", but in any case, both fighters are the beneficiaries, and the colorful bills will make them wake up laughing in the middle of the night.