In a display of expertise, two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua showcased boxing prowess against newcomer Francis Ngannou, securing a second-round KO victory in their pay-per-view clash in Saudi Arabia.
Despite Joshua being the clear favorite, much of the pre-fight discussion revolved around Ngannou’s impressive performance against incumbent WBC champ Tyson Fury last October.
Ngannou’s ability to knock Fury down and stretch the fight to the distance fueled speculation about his potential to create an upset, especially considering Joshua’s recent lackluster performances against Andy Ruiz and Oleksandr Usyk.
However, the bout unfolded differently. Joshua, with his intense demeanor and evident preparation, dominated from the start. He skillfully evaded Ngannou’s attempts in the opening round and capitalized on an opportunity when Ngannou switched stances, delivering a powerful right hand that sent Ngannou to the canvas.
This ringside angle of @anthonyjoshua's finish is SAVAGE ☠️#JoshuaNgannou | #KnockoutChaos | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/YJYV8hPmmD
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 9, 2024
Although Ngannou rose to continue, Joshua repeated the sequence in the second round, knocking Ngannou down again with a devastating right hand. The fight concluded with another knockout blow from Joshua, sealing his victory and reaffirming his dominance in the heavyweight division.
The swift and decisive nature of Joshua’s win left many stunned, including seasoned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, who had never witnessed Ngannou in such a vulnerable position.
With the referee’s intervention, Joshua’s triumph was clear, prompting accolades from pundits and observers. Promoter Eddie Hearn praised Joshua’s performance, declaring him unbeatable in the heavyweight division.
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury, who was present at the event, acknowledged Joshua’s excellence and expressed interest in a potential future matchup, hinting at the possibility of a highly anticipated bout between the two heavyweight giants.
Indeed, the rivalry between Joshua and Fury has been a long-standing narrative in boxing, with both fighters holding multiple titles at different points in their careers. Despite previous attempts to schedule a fight between them, circumstances and contractual obligations have often intervened.
As Fury prepares for his upcoming bouts against Usyk, Joshua remains a formidable contender in the heavyweight landscape, eager to face whoever emerges victorious from the Fury-Usyk series.
In the meantime, Joshua plans to regroup and await his next challenge, trusting his team to navigate the complexities of the heavyweight division.
“I’ll go back to my corner, bide my time, and when the moment comes, I’ll be ready,” Joshua remarked, signaling his readiness for whatever lies ahead in his boxing journey.
