British boxer Anthony Joshua has crushed former UFC title-holder Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
The previous two-time world champion demolished the ex-MMA star by knockout within the second spherical with an enormous proper hand.
Cameroonian fighter Ngannou toppled to the canvas after the damaging ultimate punch from 34-year-old Joshua, as the group in Riyadh’s Kingdom Area erupted.
Dazed and harm, Ngannou managed to get well and exchanged phrases with Joshua, because the victor urged him “to not depart” boxing regardless of his crushing defeat.
Ngannou was left shocked by the ability of Joshua’s punches. Pic: Sky Sports activities
Joshua praised his opponent on his October bout with Tyson Fury – a conflict which the Cameroonian narrowly misplaced – saying: “Once I noticed the battle with Fury, I believed rattling, this man might battle, I wished a chunk of that.”
The boxer who hails from Watford added Ngannou was an “inspiration [and a] an ideal champion” and the loss “should not take away from his capabilities”.
“He can come once more. I instructed him he should not depart boxing. He is two fights in, and he is fought the perfect,” Joshua stated.
Joshua’s phrases of consolation got here after a relentless couple of rounds, the place he floored Ngannou twice earlier than flattening him out chilly with an unblocked proper hand.
Ngannou started the battle nicely with a couple of early hits however was shaken by the may of the Londoner whose boxing profession continues to shine.
Anthony Joshua was too robust for Francis Ngannou. Pic: Sky Sports activities
Joshua received his final three fights earlier than accepting the assembly with Ngannou, whose expertise and title recognition turned it right into a big-money matchup.
Chatting with Sky Sports activities afterwards, Joshua stated the victory was “not that satisfying” and that it was “onto the following” battle.
“The heavyweight division is likely one of the hardest on the earth. It’s what it’s. Folks can query me, I do my finest each time however I am not even buzzing in regards to the win. Onto the following… let’s go.”
Subsequent on the playing cards for Joshua could be the winner of the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk bout which takes place on the similar venue on 18 Could, as he confidently stated: “If they need me, they will come knocking at my door. In the event that they do knock on the door, I say let’s go.”
‘Baddest man on the planet’
Eddie Hearn, who has promoted Joshua since his skilled debut in 2013, stood proudly beside the winner earlier than saying: “You’re looking on the baddest man on the planet. The primary heavyweight on the earth.
“There is a good fighter down there in Tyson Fury. Please beat Oleksandr Usyk, as a result of you’re going to get the most important battle of all time.”
Among the many star-studded visitors on the occasion was former Chelsea and Roma boss Jose Mourinho who fist pumped Joshua after his victory by the ringside.
Additionally current in Riyadh was Brazilian footballing icon Ronaldo Nazario and potential future adversary Tyson Fury himself.
