The holy month of Ramadan begins later this week.
This religious holiday is one of the most significant and holiest periods on the Islamic calendar, marked by Muslims worldwide during a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.
The start of Ramadan is officially declared when the crescent moon is sighted approximately one day after the new moon. This year it’s expected to begin on the evening of Saturday 9 March.
This year, there’s a major sporting event taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia before Ramadan starts.
Australian world-ranked heavyweight boxing contender Justis Huni will face off against South African Champion Kevin Lerena on Friday 8 March.
This is set to be Huni’s toughest challenge to date as he is pitted against the World Boxing Council interim bridgerweight champion, former IBO cruiserweight 2017 to 2021 champion and 2022 WBA heavyweight title contender.
ALSO READ: New reforms for Saudi Arabia ahead of Ramadan
Lerena recently posted the news on his social media accounts and promoter Rodney Berman confirmed it.
The 10-round heavyweight bout will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will be part of the televised undercard of the Anthony Joshua-Francis Nganou heavyweight showdown that will stream live on PPV.com.
The clash between Lerena and Huni signifies the classic crossroads fight between contender and prospect.
Berman has respect for Huni, but is confident that Lerena’s experience sets him apart and will lead to a win for him on March 8.
The main event will feature Anothony Joshua vs Francis Nganou.
The two will square off in the scheduled 10 rounds bout heavyweight fight. The contest is headlined “Knockout Chaos”.
The 34-year-old British former two-time WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) is targeting his fourth straight victory.
ALSO READ: The First Ever MMA Event in Saudi Arabia
Cameroonian French 37-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (0-1) is eyeing his first win in pro boxing.
Anthony Joshua has vowed to “make a statement” and deliver a knockout victory over Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou knocked down Tyson Fury with a left hook during the third round of his split-decision defeat in October last year, with the 37-year-old adamant he has the boxing technique to produce a knockout victory.
“Of course!” Ngannou insisted. “I believe if I land on anyone, I will knock them out. The question is how to land? That’s the hardest thing”.
Although Anthony Jushua has promised to make a statement by knocking Ngannou out, he has the greatest respect for the MMA fighter.
“I think he should stay in boxing in my opinion, he’s got great potential to make waves.”
ALSO READ: Winds of Change in Saudi Women Football
“In terms of the word ‘gimmick’ we can get rid of that. In terms of the whole crossover aspect of what boxing is, it’s not that Ngannou was a gimmick or Fury was a gimmick, but the whole MMA crossing over into boxing I looked at it as a gimmick, but now I can see that there are certain fighters in the MMA world that can box, and he’s one of them.”
“It’s good news for us fighters and good news for broadcasters because they’ve got me and Ngannou going at it in a few days.”
Joshua and Ngannou’s main event is scheduled for 11pm UK time. Coverage of the build-up begins at 4pm on Sky Sports Box Office with hours of the undercard on Sky Sports Action from 4pm
ALSO READ: Training run with Comrades marathon 2022/2023 winner and teammates
