The fight between the two heavyweights went quickly on Friday night, with the boxing veteran taking on the newcomer.
Anthony Joshua took on former UFC star Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Friday night, and Joshua was the unsurprising favorite to win.
Joshua, a two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, was fighting in his 31st professional boxing bout, while Ngannou, a former UFC world heavyweight champion, was just making his second appearance in the ring as a professional.
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Anthony Joshua punches Francis Ngannou during a heavyweight bout at Kingdom Arena on March 8, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Ngannou effectively knocked down current WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in his debut fight in October, but ultimately lost the bout by a close split decision. The fight attracted the attention of boxing fans around the world, including Joshua.
However, Joshua dominated the fight from the start, knocking Ngannou to the canvas in the first round.
Ngannou got to his feet easily at first, but was visibly shaken when he got to his feet a second time after the same number of rounds. Joshua wasted no time.
Francis Ngannou gets knocked down for the third time in the heavyweight bout between Ngannou and Anthony Joshua at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 8, 2024, causing referee Ricky Gonzalez to stop the fight and observe the situation. confirm. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Seconds after Ngannou rose to his feet, the Brit delivered a brutal right hook that folded him up like a lawn chair and knocked him out cold, ending the fight.
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The station said Ngannou needed an oxygen tank.
“He’s a great champion. That doesn’t diminish his ability,” Joshua said of his opponent after the fight. “He can come back. I told him he shouldn’t quit boxing. He’ll do well. He’s had two fights, but he’s had his best fight. If he stays dedicated, he can go a long way, but it’s up to him.”
Referee Ricky Gonzalez checks him as Francis Ngannou gets knocked down for the third time during the heavyweight fight between Ngannou and Anthony Joshua at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 8, 2024. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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Joshua has 25 knockouts, improving his career total to 28 wins and 3 losses.
The fight took place one day after it was announced on Netflix that Jake Paul would fight Mike Tyson in Dallas.
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