Joshua scores early KO in heavyweight victory over Ngannou
Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua halted Francis Ngannou’s nascent climb to crossover stardom Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, defeating the mixed martial arts star via secondround knockout.
Joshua (28-3, 25 knockouts) made quick work of Ngannou, ending the fight with a massive right overhand that knocked the Cameroonian out cold.
Ngannou (0-2, 17-3 in MMA) was fighting in his second professional boxing match after claiming the UFC heavyweight crown in 2021.
“It is what it is,” Joshua said on the DAZN broadcast after the match. “When I saw the fight between Francis and Tyson Fury, I realized he could fight. And I wanted a piece of that. He’s an inspiration. He’s a great champion and this result doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities.”
Ngannou’s October bout against Fury, the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, went decidedly different. The 37-yearold MMA star entered that match as a substantial underdog but dropped a stunned Fury with a left hook in the third round.
After 10 frames, Fury escaped with a controversial split decision victory on the scorecards.
Ngannou had said boxing was his first love before he discovered MMA. But that showing in his professional boxing debut sparked excitement.
Ahead of the fight, Joshua said he would not underestimate Ngannou as some believed Fury had. The 34-yearold Joshua dominated the proceedings.
He landed a powerful right jab to drop Ngannou late in the first round. Joshua connected with the right hand to drop him again in the second round. Seconds after Ngannou returned to his feet, Joshua delivered a crushing right overhand that flattened his opponent on the canvas. Ngannou was given oxygen by the ringside doctors and regained consciousness.
“I told him he shouldn’t leave boxing,” Joshua said of Ngannou. “He can do well. He’s fought two of the best.”
After leaving the UFC for the rival Professional Fighters League last year, Ngannou is scheduled to return to the cage to face Renan Ferreira in what will be his PFL debut and his first MMA bout since January 2022.