Joshua takes out Ngannou with crushing KO end in Spherical 2

Anthony Joshua scored a spectacular knockout of Francis Ngannou in Spherical 2 of their heavyweight bout Friday night time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a proper hand that landed clear on the previous UFC heavyweight champion’s chin and rendered him unconscious.

After Ngannou regained his senses, ringside officers administered oxygen to the 37-year-old, who was boxing for simply the second time.

England’s Joshua, 34, scored a knockdown within the opening spherical with a proper hand, and Ngannou gave the impression to be unsteady after he beat the rely. Joshua produced one other knockdown in Spherical 2, an equilibrium shot that related on Ngannou’s left ear.

Moments after Ngannou rose from the second knockdown, Joshua planted him on the canvas for good with a superbly positioned straight proper that landed flush. Ngannou’s leg bent awkwardly underneath him as all 272½ kilos of the MMA fighter fell to the canvas in a heap.

“On the path to the championship you need to all the time keep targeted,” mentioned Joshua, a former two-time heavyweight champion. “This was me stepping other than that mission. … However once I noticed [Ngannou] and the combat in opposition to Tyson Fury, I used to be like ‘rattling, this man can combat’ so I mentioned I would like a chunk of that.

“He is an inspiration. … He is an awesome champion. This does not take away something of his capabilities as a result of in boxing it is one or the opposite. He can come once more.”

Ngannou took to social media after the loss, posting on X, “Sorry guys I allow you to all down. Right now was a nasty day within the workplace however tomorrow might be one other day. Thanks all for the love.”

Ngannou (0-2) shocked the sporting world in October when he confronted Fury, ESPN’s No. 1 heavyweight, and dropped him in Spherical 3 en path to a split-decision loss. A local of Cameroon, Ngannou is taken into account among the many UFC’s all-time finest heavyweights, nevertheless it was nonetheless a significant shock that he was capable of grasp with the most effective heavyweight boxer on the earth.

Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) was set to combat fellow former champion Deontay Wilder on this date earlier than Joseph Parker scored an upset win over Wilder in December. On that very same card, Joshua scored a fourth-round TKO victory over Otto Wallin.

With Wilder out of the combination, Ngannou stepped in for an unprecedented second professional boxing match in opposition to one of many sport’s elite. This efficiency did not go practically in addition to the primary one.

“He believed in his desires and he adopted it,” Fury mentioned. “He made a s— ton of cash, which is improbable to help his household. He had an awesome journey. Hold going if he needs to field. … He is nonetheless undefeated as a champion in MMA. Simply because he bought beat right here tonight, he can return to MMA and destroy that world once more. … Hold your chin excessive.”

Ngannou’s final MMA bout came about in January 2022, when he defeated Ciryl Gane through determination to retain his UFC heavyweight championship. He parted methods with the group afterward over a disagreement on his monetary worth and signed with PFL.

However Ngannou has but to compete within the PFL and advised ESPN on Sunday that he is uncertain if he’ll have an MMA combat this yr. That, after all, was earlier than he was summarily dismissed by Joshua in a boxing ring.

“I advised him he should not depart boxing,” Joshua mentioned. “He can do nicely. Bear in mind, he is two fights in, and he fought the most effective.”

Joshua is ESPN’s No. 3 heavyweight. The Olympic gold medalist received his first title in 2016 and made six defenses — together with wins over Wladimir Klitschko and Parker — earlier than he was stopped by Andy Ruiz in seven rounds in one of many glamour division’s all-time greatest upsets.

Joshua reclaimed his three titles from Ruiz through determination later that yr in Riyadh and, following one profitable protection, was outpointed by Oleksandr Usyk in 2021. Usyk defeated Joshua a second time through determination within the 2022 rematch.

Joshua connected with coach Derrick James following the 2 losses to Usyk and went on to defeat Jermain Franklin and Robert Helenius final yr. Joshua once more modified his nook forward of the December bout in opposition to Wallin, linking up with former Fury coach Ben Davison, and he appeared rejuvenated.

Joshua returned to his seek-and-destroy model in December, breaking Wallin’s nostril and forcing him to retire on his stool.

Following an explosive knockout victory over Ngannou, there isn’t any doubt Joshua has totally regained the boldness that appeared misplaced within the aftermath of the defeats to Ruiz and Usyk.

“He destroyed Francis Ngannou,” mentioned Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn. “One of the best heavyweight on the earth, and I can not await him to beat Tyson Fury.”

For now, the world’s finest heavyweight might be decided Could 18 in Riyadh when Fury meets Usyk for the undisputed championship. They’re lined up for a rematch later this yr, too.

But when Fury can emerge victorious from the collection of fights, the long-awaited showdown with Joshua might lastly materialize.

“It is me and Usyk who combat for the No. 1 and No. 2 place and the undisputed championship of the world,” Fury mentioned.

He added: “I had a s— efficiency in opposition to Ngannou. I’ve by no means mentioned something totally different. … [Joshua] knocked him out and that is what a boxer ought to’ve completed to him. If [Joshua] fights me sooner or later after I am completed with Usyk twice subsequent yr, it will be a special factor.”