Anthony Joshua knocked former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou down twice before knock him unconscious with a massive right hand in the main event of ‘Knockout Chaos’ from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As part of their big push into the boxing sphere, Saudi Arabia hosted the second of Francis Ngannou’s boxing fights, just like the first, as he took on another champion in Anthony Joshua, this one a former champ. Ngannou’s performance against Tyson Fury last year convinced all, even skeptics, that he is legitimately good as a boxer after he left the UFC in search of greater fortune.
He faced the Anthony Joshua, one of the most recognizable fighters in the world and former world champion, an icon in England. Though most see Fury as a better fighter than AJ, Joshua surely would not take him as lightly as Tyson did, so he was still the favorite coming into the fight.
Although Ngannou started strong, controlling the pace with his jab and lead hook, he got overconfident and Joshua dropped him with a minute left in the first round. In the second, Francis had more trouble getting going and ate one more big right hand a minute in, but ate it better.
Then, one minute later Anthony Joshua landed a great right hand, that seriously hurt Ngannou. The second one after Francis beat the ten-count was perfect, instantly knocking him cold, where he lay for a while. AJ showed that he is still one of the best in the world. After a full minute or so, Ngannou was able to sit up.
When he was able to speak with Joshua, Anthony told him, “Don’t leave, don’t leave boxing… Let me know if you need anything, we’ll talk another time. I want to donate to your foundation also,” showing pure class.
In his post-fight interview, AJ called for the winner of Oleksandr Usyk VS Tyson Fury, which goes down soon for the undisputed belt.
Official Result: Anthony Joshua def. Francis Ngannou by Knockout (right hand) Round 2, 2:38
