Anthony Joshua Dominates Francis Ngannou, Secures Victory in Just Two Rounds
British-Nigerian two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua showcased his dominance in the ring as he efficiently handled the threat posed by Cameroonian mixed martial artist Francis Ngannou in a boxing match held in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The 34-year-old Joshua demonstrated his superior skills by knocking down the UFC champion in both the first and early second rounds, ultimately delivering a decisive second-round knockout. Ngannou, 37, had to be attended to by medics as he appeared motionless upon hitting the canvas. This defeat highlighted the inherent dangers of combat sports, particularly for crossover athletes attempting to transition from one discipline to another.
Ngannou, a former reigning UFC heavyweight champion, had gained recognition in the boxing world after a stunning debut in October when he cut and floored WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. However, Joshua, known for his raw power, made quick work of Ngannou, emphasizing his ability to handle opponents that even Fury struggled against.
Despite downplaying the idea of facing Ngannou in the past, Joshua had a change of heart after witnessing the Cameroonian’s performance against Fury. “When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought ‘I want some of that.’ [Ngannou] is a great champion, and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities,” commented Joshua after his decisive victory.
The fight in Riyadh, which began at 3:40 am local time, did not bring the potential upset some fans feared after Ngannou’s impressive performance against Fury in October. Instead, hailing from Watford, Joshua quickly asserted his dominance, flooring Ngannou within three minutes.
Ngannou beat the referee’s count at 8 in the first round but struggled in the second, succumbing to a powerful right from Joshua after getting up from a second knockdown. The referee promptly waved off the contest, declaring Ngannou knocked out cold.
Expressing respect for his opponent, Joshua urged Ngannou not to abandon boxing, acknowledging the Cameroonian’s remarkable achievements in just two professional fights. The victory marked Joshua’s fourth in 11 months, reinvigorating his pursuit of recapturing a world title following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine.
Now, speculation surrounds a potential about between Joshua and the winner of the undisputed heavyweight title fight scheduled for May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua’s recent triumph has reignited excitement and anticipation within the heavyweight boxing scene.
