Anthony Joshua knocked Francis Ngannou out in the second round of their bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to send the fans into a frenzy.
Joshua worked Ngannou through the first round before landing a punch that sent him down.
It was much of the same in the second round. Ngannou threw a punch at Joshua but he did not connect well as Joshua punched him in the same breath, flooring Ngannou yet again again.
As the former MMA star rose to his feet, Anthony Joshua attacked him again and the referee called the match.
Chronicle NG reported that Ngannou laid flat on his back for some time after taking the punch but the medics were quick into the ring to provide treatment. He sat on his stool and was given some oxygen.
In a post-match message to boxing fans and the spirit of sportsmanship, Anthony Joshua wrote on his verified X page, “Respect my guy, African giants.” He also posted a picture of himself on a branded Cameroonian face cap to acknowledge his African brotherhood with Ngannou and a show of fist bumps.
Anthony Joshua who had beat Otto Wallin in December, 2023 in Saudi Arabia said he was ready to challenge for the heavyweight title.
“I’m going back to my cage and when they let me out, I’ll fight again,” Joshua said, as WBC heavyweight champion Fury watched on from ringside.
Joshua did what his compatriot Fury could not.
Fury made tough work of Ngannou in October when he was dropped by the debutant before edging a points win.