Anthony Joshua, the previous heavyweight world champion, impressively knocked down Francis Ngannou thrice in just two rounds at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena on Saturday. This spectacular knockout victory has once again placed him in strong contention for another title opportunity.
The prominent British fighter, Anthony Joshua, delivered a powerful straight right to the chin of the 37-year-old Cameroon-born ex-UFC heavyweight champion, who has only gained experience in professional boxing through two fights. In the initial round, this decisive blow sent him crashing to the canvas.
In a thrilling display of “Knockout Chaos,” the match showcased its name as Joshua managed to send his opponent crashing down again in the second round. Initially, a swift right-left combination brought Ngannou to the ground, and subsequently, an intense right punch followed after he had regained his footing. The referee intervened, deeming the situation unsafe, and declared Joshua the victor by way of knockout. Meanwhile, Ngannou received medical attention, eventually recovering and returning to a stunned state.
Anticipations were higher for Ngannou, following his impressive performance in which he knocked down WBC champion Tyson Fury during their Riyadh bout in October, ultimately losing via split decision. However, Joshua’s unyielding determination left no room for leniency. After the match, he addressed the audience, reflecting on the outcome with the phrase, “It is what it is.”
Meanwhile, Fury, who is set to face Ukraine’s WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO champion, Oleksandr Usyk, in a rescheduled unification bout on May 18 in Riyadh, observed the event from ringside.
Joshua expressed his eagerness for future battles, stating, “I’m just here to fight. I’ll retreat to my sanctuary, lock myself away, and then be released when it’s time to fight again.” He eagerly awaits the outcome of the Usyk vs. Fury match, hoping for a chance to face the victor. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, also voiced his desire, saying, “There’s a brilliant fighter down there in Tyson Fury. Please beat Oleksandr Usyk, because you will get the biggest fight of all time.”
Reflecting on his encounter with Ngannou, Joshua praised his opponent, calling it “one of the most destructive knockouts I’ve ever seen.” He encouraged Ngannou, saying, “I told him he shouldn’t leave boxing, he can do well.” Recognizing his potential, Joshua added, “Remember, he’s two fights in and he’s fought the best. He can go a long way if he stays dedicated.”
In a separate bout on the undercard, New Zealand’s Joseph Parker emerged victorious against Chinese heavyweight Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang, securing the WBO interim title through a majority points decision, despite experiencing two knockdowns.
Following his triumph over American former WBC champion Deontay Wilder in Riyadh during December, Parker showcased resilience in his recent bout, recovering from a straight left in round three and overcoming a left-right combination in the eighth. The judges at ringside scored the match in Parker’s favor, 113-113, 114-112, and 115-111.
Displaying sportsmanship, Parker commented on a potential rematch, stating, “We are contracted to have a rematch, so we will do it again.”
Earlier in the event, Britain’s Nick Ball and Mexico’s WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas engaged in a closely contested match that resulted in a split-decision draw. Despite the challenger knocking down the belt-holder twice, their skills were evenly matched, leading to the draw outcome.
