British boxer Anthony Joshua has crushed former UFC title-holder Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
The former two-time world champion demolished the ex-MMA star by knockout in the second round with a huge right hand.
Cameroonian fighter Ngannou toppled to the canvas after the destructive final punch from 34-year-old Joshua, as the crowd in Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena erupted.
Dazed and hurt, Ngannou managed to recover and exchanged words with Joshua, as the victor urged him “not to leave” boxing despite his crushing defeat.
Joshua praised his opponent on his October bout with Tyson Fury – a clash which the Cameroonian narrowly lost – saying: “When I saw the fight with Fury, I thought damn, this guy could fight, I wanted a piece of that.”
The boxer who hails from Watford added Ngannou was an “inspiration [and a] a great champion” and the loss “shouldn’t take away from his capabilities”.
“He can come again. I told him he shouldn’t leave boxing. He’s two fights in, and he’s fought the best,” Joshua said.
Joshua’s words of comfort came after a relentless couple of rounds, where he floored Ngannou twice before flattening him out cold with an unblocked right hand.
Ngannou began the fight well with a few early hits but was shaken by the might of the Londoner whose boxing career continues to shine.
Joshua won his last three fights before accepting the meeting with Ngannou, whose talent and name recognition turned it into a big-money matchup.
Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Joshua said the victory was “not that satisfying” and that it was “onto the next” fight.
“The heavyweight division is one of the toughest in the world. It is what it is. People can question me, I do my best every time but I’m not even buzzing about the win. Onto the next… let’s go.”
Next on the cards for Joshua may be the winner of the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk bout which takes place at the same venue on 18 May, as he confidently said: “If they want me, they can come knocking at my door. If they do knock on the door, I say let’s go.”
‘Baddest man on the planet’
Eddie Hearn, who has promoted Joshua since his professional debut in 2013, stood proudly beside the winner before saying: “You are looking at the baddest man on the planet. The number one heavyweight in the world.
“There’s a brilliant fighter down there in Tyson Fury. Please beat Oleksandr Usyk, because you will get the biggest fight of all time.”
Among the star-studded guests at the event was former Chelsea and Roma boss Jose Mourinho who fist pumped Joshua after his victory by the ringside.
Also present in Riyadh was Brazilian footballing icon Ronaldo Nazario and potential future adversary Tyson Fury himself.
Oh, wow, who would have thought that a boxer would beat a UFC fighter in a boxing match? #Sarcasm
Well, I guess Ngannou’s nickname, ‘The Predator,’ isn’t so fitting after all, huh? #Irony
While Joshua’s victory was impressive, it’s important to consider that Ngannou is not known for his boxing skills. The outcome may have been different if they fought in a different discipline.
I’m not sure what I just watched. Was it boxing or wrestling? #Confused
What a letdown! Ngannou was supposed to be a tough opponent. #AJDisappoints
It’s important to note that Ngannou is primarily a UFC fighter, while Joshua is a boxer. The difference in fighting styles and experience likely played a role in the outcome.
Ngannou: ‘I thought I was fighting a human, not a punching machine.’ #KnockoutJokes
Joshua’s technical boxing skills and footwork were clearly superior to Ngannou’s. It was a masterful performance.
This fight will go down in history as one of the most lopsided boxing matches between a boxer and a UFC fighter.
Wow, this is amazing news! AJ is a beast! #JoshuaWins
Ngannou must have been thinking, ‘I’m a what? A Predator?’ after that fight. #KnockoutComedian
I wonder if the fight was fixed. Ngannou looked like he was holding back. #Suspicious