How Anthony Joshua Knocked Out Ngannou As He Suffered Two More Knockdowns

In the early hours of Saturday, two-time world champion Anthony Joshua delivered a stunning knockout blow to mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou in their heavyweight showdown.

Joshua’s explosive victory came in just the second round of the bout, showcasing his formidable punching power.

“I thought this fight was something for the broadcasters to get behind,” Joshua told broadcaster DAZN following his swift triumph. “When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury, I thought, ‘I want some of that’. He is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities.”

The fight marked Ngannou’s second professional boxing match, following his previous bout against Tyson Fury in October, where he showcased his power by flooring the WBC champion.

“I told (Ngannou) not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he fought the best,” Joshua commented on his opponent’s performance.

The match, which commenced at 3:30 am local time, witnessed Joshua dominating from the outset, sending Ngannou to the canvas with a fierce right hook in the opening round. Despite Ngannou’s resilience, he succumbed to Joshua’s onslaught in the second round, enduring two more knockdowns before the referee called an end to the fight.

Following the match, Ngannou required medical attention inside the ring before being helped back to his corner.

Joshua, 34, entered the bout with a string of three consecutive wins but faced significant pressure after back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. The victory over Ngannou revitalizes Joshua’s standing in the heavyweight division.

The fight, which reportedly saw Joshua earn $50 million, showcased the remarkable journey of Ngannou, who rose from poverty to prominence. From working as a child labourer in a sand quarry to pursuing his dreams in Europe, Ngannou’s ascent to the top of the MMA world has been nothing short of extraordinary.