Francis Ngannou, reflecting on his recent heavyweight boxing match against Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia, revealed to reporters that he didn’t even register the knockout punch that led to his defeat in the second round.
“In fact, I didn’t feel the punch,” Ngannou shared, as reported by Josh Peter of USA Today. “I think that’s what the knockout is about. I don’t feel any pain. That’s how I know I was knocked out.”
This bout marked a significant moment for Ngannou, as noted by combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, as it was the first time he had been knocked down and knocked out. Joshua managed to drop Ngannou in the first round before ultimately securing victory in the second.
Ngannou’s brief loss of consciousness prompted officials to administer oxygen to the former UFC heavyweight champion before he returned to his stool.
Joshua DROPS Ngannou in Round 1 🫣 #JoshuaNgannou pic.twitter.com/9BdcWxxjpq
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 9, 2024
After the match, Ngannou reached out to his supporters, expressing his disappointment but also optimism for the future: “Sorry guys I let you all down 😔 Today was a bad day in the office but tomorrow will be another day. Thank you all for the love ❤️”
In a show of sportsmanship, Joshua also acknowledged his opponent, tweeting, “Respect my guy 🤝 African Giants 🌍 @francis_ngannou” alongside a photo of the two fighters.
Respect my guy 🤝 African Giants 🌍 @francis_ngannou pic.twitter.com/PBIMf0q73l
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) March 9, 2024
For Ngannou, this was only his second professional boxing match, following his debut against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury last October, which ended in a competitive split decision defeat.
With this victory, Joshua, a former heavyweight champion, further solidified his record, improving to 28-3 lifetime with 25 knockouts.
