In a spectacular display of power and skill, Anthony Joshua delivered a devastating knockout to Francis Ngannou in their highly anticipated heavyweight bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The British star secured a stirring victory in the second round, showcasing his prowess and reclaiming his position as a dominant force in the boxing world.
Anthony Joshua Ngannou
Anthony Joshua, a two-time world champion, asserted his dominance from the outset. In the first round, he knocked down Ngannou and continued his assault in the second round, ultimately delivering the knockout punch at 2:38. The powerful right hand left Ngannou unconscious on the canvas for over a minute, requiring oxygen assistance.
According to Joshua, “For me, I don’t know if I’m coming into my peak. I’m just pushing day by day.” This victory marked Joshua’s fourth consecutive win after suffering back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine.
Despite Ngannou’s impressive pro debut in October, where he knocked down Tyson Fury, Joshua proved to be a formidable opponent. Joshua expressed admiration for Ngannou, stating, “When I saw the fight with him and Fury, I was like, ‘Damn, this guy can fight.’ So I said, ‘I need a piece of that.'”
However, the fight unfolded differently, with Ngannou spending significant time on the canvas. Joshua acknowledged Ngannou’s capabilities, saying, “He’s a great champion, and this doesn’t take away anything from his capabilities. …He can come back.”
Anthony Joshua Knocks Out Francis Ngannou
Round 1
- Ngannou opens with a left hook.
- Joshua drops Ngannou with a powerful right.
- Joshua 10, Ngannou 8.
Round 2
- Joshua lands a hard right.
- Ngannou throws jabs, but nothing connects.
- Joshua drops Ngannou again, securing the knockout.
- Anthony Joshua wins with a second-round KO.
About 10 minutes after the post-fight press conference, Francis Ngannou joined Anthony Joshua, displaying mutual respect. Ngannou acknowledged Joshua’s special performance, stating, “He was quite special because he stopped me. He did what Tyson Fury couldn’t. It wasn’t my day, and he was just way better than me today.”
Full Fight Card Results
The event featured an exciting full fight card, including:
- Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou
- Joseph Parker vs. Zhilei Zhang
- Nick Ball vs. Rey Vargas (split draw)
- Israil Madrimov vs. Magomed Kurbanov
- Mark Chamberlain vs. Gavin Gwynne
- Justis Huni vs. Kevin Lerena
Joseph Parker’s victory over Zhilei Zhang by majority decision for the interim WBO heavyweight title was a highlight, with Parker demonstrating resilience despite being knocked down twice.
Conclusion
In a night filled with thrilling bouts, Anthony Joshua’s knockout victory over Francis Ngannou stole the show. As Joshua eyes potential future showdowns, fans eagerly await the next chapter in the heavyweight division. With this impressive win, Joshua has once again asserted his dominance and set the stage for exciting matchups in the world of boxing.