Inside dramatic stadium transformation for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou mega fight as arena looks unrecognisable

9 months ago 82

THE STAGE is set for Anthony Joshua’s blockbuster bout with Francis Ngannou – after the arena went through a dramatic transformation.

Joshua faces Ngannou at the Kingdom Arena, where Neymar’s Al Hilal play their football.

The pitch turned into a ring as organisers got to work for a sensational shakeup.

Saudi’s boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh released amazing footage of the makeover with the final results a thing of beauty.

The footage shows the turf being covered up and thousands of seats being placed where the pitch would normally be.

A ring is then installed in the middle and a stage set – presumably for the ring walks.

Joshua returns to Saudi for his third bout in the desert while Ngannou takes to the boxing ring for only the second time.

The MMA superstar floored Tyson Fury on his debut last year only to lose a controversial split-decision.

But he is back under Queensberry rules and weighed in a whopping 19st 6lb compared to Joshua at 18 stone.

Ngannou, 37, said: “I’ve learnt a little bit from the last fight, the last camp, and leading up to this one.

“So, I get a little bit of experience, but the mindset is still the same.

“This is just my second boxing match, even though I’m taking on the two best guys in the world in boxing, it’s still my second boxing match.

“I’m going out there to prove you can be an underdog and take it.”

Joshua, 34, meanwhile quipped: “I’ll deliver. I’m the postman.”