In a highly anticipated showdown, Anthony Joshua, the two-time world champion, delivered a stunning knockout against mixed martial arts sensation Francis Ngannou in just the second round of their heavyweight clash. Joshua’s promoter wasted no time in dubbing him the top fighter in the division.
Joshua asserted his dominance early on, sending Ngannou to the canvas in the opening round and repeating the feat twice more in the second round with a display of formidable punching power.
Ngannou, aged 37 and a former UFC heavyweight champion, had entered the ring for only his second professional boxing match. His previous bout against Tyson Fury in October ended in a split decision loss, despite Ngannou flooring the WBC champion in the third round.
Speaking to DAZN after his swift victory, Joshua expressed his eagerness for the match, highlighting his respect for Fury as a great champion. He encouraged Ngannou to continue pursuing boxing, acknowledging his opponent’s courage in facing one of the best in the sport.
Joshua, a former unified WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion, had been on a winning streak leading up to the fight, following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, who is set to challenge Fury for the undisputed heavyweight title in May.
Despite the late start time of 3:30 am local time, fans were treated to an electrifying start as Joshua swiftly floored Ngannou with a powerful right to the chin in the first round. The Cameroonian fighter struggled to recover and was knocked down again in the second round before succumbing to defeat.
Following the match, Ngannou required medical attention in the ring before being assisted back to his corner. Joshua, reportedly earning $50 million for the bout, emerged victorious, adding another chapter to his illustrious career.
The win reignited speculation of potential mega-fights with either Usyk or Fury. Promoter Eddie Hearn hailed Joshua as the undisputed top heavyweight and eagerly anticipated a showdown with Fury should he defeat Usyk.
Joshua’s trainer, Ben Davison, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for the winner of the Fury-Usyk bout to face Joshua to determine the best in the division.
However, not all observers were impressed with the brief yet brutal encounter. Some criticized the mismatch between the world-class heavyweight and Ngannou, dubbing it a one-sided affair.
Ngannou is expected to return to MMA later in the year, leaving the boxing world to ponder what’s next for Joshua and the heavyweight division.