Anthony Joshus Floors Francis Ngannou Three Times In Highlight Reel 2nd Round Knockout

09/03/2024 01:46

A destructive force found a way to dent an immovable object.

Anthony Joshua found a way to Francis Ngannou's perceived impenetrable chin and delivered an instant Knockout of the Year candidate. Ngannou was floored three times, the latter which produced an immediate ending at 2:38 of round two Friday evening from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou (0-2 as a boxer; 17-3 in mixed martial arts) rode a massive wave of momentum following his remarkable pro debut after his crossover from UFC where he was the heavyweight champion. He nearly scored a gargantuan upset of WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs), No. 1 at HVY, last October 28. Fury was floored in the third round but rallied back to claim a split decision victory at the start of Riyadh Season. The win remained a stain on his resume, unbefitting a two-time heavyweight champion versus boxing debutant.

Joshua, No. 2 at HVY, restored order in the boxing world, though he took it all in stride.

"It is what it is," Joshua told DAZN's Ade Oladipo after his fourth consecutive victory.

The heavily hyped ‘Knockout Chaos’ event was met with a no-nonsense approach by Joshua, who was all business throughout fight week.

Joshua kept on his game face and took care of business once the bell sounded. A once-perceived competitive matchup didn’t take long to delve into the novelty fight it was once believed to be prior to last October.

Ngannou put his best foot forward in the opening round. Joshua was cautious to a point, as he wisely used movement to get Ngannou into his desired punching position.

He found it in the form of a right hand to floor Ngannou in the opening round. Ngannou, who was never stopped in MMA, beat the count but seemed unclear how to react in the rare position of physical adversity.

Joshua wouldn’t give him a chance to solve that riddle.

Another right hand by Joshua produced the bout’s second knockdown midway through round two. The clean shot left Ngannou with a look of concern as he once again rose to his feet. This time, however, he had to have sensed the end was near.

Joshua didn’t at all play with his food. A booming right hand seconds later caused Ngannou to tip back as his leg folded underneath him. Referee Ricky Gonzalez didn’t waste any time to stop the contest and immediately tend to the fallen 37-year-old.

Jake Donovan a senior writer for The Ring and vice president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Follow @JakeNDaBox

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