‘Savage Beast’, Anthony Joshua knocks out mouthy Francis Ngannou in Round Two of their World Heavyweight bout

Posted : 09 March 2024

British-Nigerian former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua (AJ), knocked out the vocal Cameroonian former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Francis Ngannou, in the second minute of the second round at the Riyadh Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia on Saturday morning during their scheduled 10-round bout.

AJ's punches were so brutal that Ngannou had to be administered oxygen in his corner. He was knocked out unconscious before hitting the canvas for the third time in the bout.

In the first round, Ngannou threatened AJ with his devastating punches after switching to a Southpaw stance and catching Joshua with a right hook. Joshua responded by dropping Ngannou to the floor.

Entering the second round, Ngannou looked worried as he absorbed a combination of punches. AJ strategically knocked Francis to the floor for the second time. Although Ngannou beat the mandatory ten count, AJ finished him off with a thunderbolt of a punch, resulting in the third and final knockdown.

At 34, AJ has 28 bouts with 3 defeats and 24 knockouts. Ngannou, aged 37, made his boxing debut in October, losing to WBC World Champion Tyson Fury via split decision. This marked his second defeat in his boxing career, and it was the first time he was given a technical knockout in either MMA or boxing.

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said, "That's one of the most destructive knockouts I've ever seen. In this form, no one in the world can beat AJ," describing AJ as a savage beast.

Anthony Joshua stated, "I'm still pushing, still hungry. I'm just pushing day by day, so we'll just see where it goes. In boxing, it's one or the other. He can come again. He had two fights, and he's fought the best; he should not quit boxing because of this nightmare." Joshua admitted to studying the video tape of Francis Ngannou against Tyson Fury.

Ngannou said he won't quit because "you win some and lose some fights." AJ displayed sportsmanship by raising Ngannou's hand after the match was formally declared.

AJ lost three belts (IBF, WBO, and WBA) to Oleksandr Usyk and lost the rematch as well. He aims for a victory to set up a fight against Tyson Fury, who faces Oleksandr Usyk in a bout scheduled for May 18. The winner will fight AJ later in the year. AJ dreams of reclaiming his belts.

‘Savage Beast’, Anthony Joshua knocks out mouthy Francis Ngannou in Round Two of their World Heavyweight bout

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