This weekend’s big boxing gala in Saudi Arabia went by the name “Knockout Chaos”. This was when former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was pitted against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou – two names that have made themselves known for knocking out their opponents.
Ngannou made his professional boxing debut in October when he switched sports from MMA and directly faced superstar Tyson Fury. A match where he floored the Briton and fell on a split decision, a judge therefore considered the Cameroonian won.
Last night, however, Ngannou had no chance.
Floored in the first round
After a pleasant start, he became maybe for comfortable and when he changed his stance from normal to go with the right first, Joshua unleashed a straight right that sent Ngannou to the floor with a minute left in round one.
The former MMA champion made it through the round, but in round two he was knocked down and took the count again. That time, however, in the sequence immediately afterward, Joshua followed up with a brutal right hand that ended the bout.
After that knockdown, the third, the referee stopped the match immediately.
Ngannou was lying down for a long time, but was finally able to sit on a chair and was then given oxygen. Then he stood up and the two boxers embraced each other.
– All that is needed is a heavyweight match. I strive forward every day and try to make the most of the time I have left in my career. In five years I won’t be boxing anymore. But I’m still learning and I’m hungry, says 34-year-old Joshua.
“Greatest match in sports history”
The Briton also confirmed that he wants to next face the winner of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk who will settle all four World Championship belts on May 18.
– Tyson, please beat Usyk because then I promise you will get the greatest match in the history of the sport between “AJ” and Fury, says promoter Eddie Hearn.
After the double losses against the heavyweight king Usyk from Ukraine, Joshua has lined up four straight victories. In total, he has a match record of 28-3, of which 25 victories have come via knockout.
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