Anthony Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou then met Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Formula 1 but was back in the gym hours later

12/03/2024 13:46

Anthony Joshua had a busy couple of days after knocking out Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

The Watford powerhouse was in fine form as he dispatched Ngannou inside two rounds in front of a glamorous audience.

A day later he was in attendance to witness Max Verstappen record his second consecutive win of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Ahead of his own fight, Joshua met football legends Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho and former Brazil and Real Madrid star Ronaldo.

And while he watched the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, he bumped into another familiar face from the football world – Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The retired striker posted a snap of him and AJ together on his Instagram story, with the caption: “We are not trying to be perfect, we are perfect.”

Joshua was certainly punch-perfect on Friday night.

The former two-time unified heavyweight champion decked Ngannou twice before sending him down and out in the second stanza with a thudding right hand.

Ngannou didn’t know what had hit him.

With that devastating stoppage, Joshua elevates himself into a strong position to challenge the winner of the undisputed clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.

However, he may have to wait until next year for his opportunity with the heavyweight titans currently tied into a two-fight deal.

Joshua insists he will remain active in the interim and anticipates a return to the ring in either June or July.

IBF mandatory Filip Hrgovic is the frontrunner to face him although AJ also mentioned Deontay Wilder as a possible next opponent.

Regardless of who is standing across from in the summer, Joshua is making sure he leaves no stone unturned and is already back in training.

On Sunday, just two days after his win over Ngannou, Joshua posted a picture of him in the gym pumping iron.

After his workout, he didn’t cut corners either as he went through a thorough recovery routine including a sauna, steam room and ice bath.

The new and improved AJ has even been backed to beat Oleksandr Usyk should a third fight ever materialise, according to talkBOXING host Spencer Oliver.