For the second time in six months, former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight king, Francis Ngannou, will return to the boxing ring opposite a top talent in knockout artist, Anthony Joshua, TONIGHT (Fri. March 8, 2024) in the main event of the “Knockout Chaos” event inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou may not have gotten the nod back in October versus Tyson Fury, but scoring a knockdown in a split-decision loss went a long way in earning “The Predator” some boxing legitimacy … as well as another massive paycheck! Now a ranked Heavyweight contender, Ngannou aims to step into the ring against another of boxing’s best and leave with a victory this time around.
Joshua, meanwhile, is still rebuilding from a pair of losses to Oleksandr Usyk. He’s won three straight since losing his Heavyweight titles, and his most recent performance was a flawless knockout win over veteran contender Otto Wallin. This is his most high-profile match since those bouts against Usyk, and Joshua has an opportunity here to potentially score another title bout afterward if victorious.
Live updates will begin to flow below the moment the two fighters make their way to the ring …
Round One
Similar to the Fury bout, Ngannou was looking for his counter left hook right away. Joshua probed with has jab and feinted actively. Joshua found a home for his body jab. “The Predator” answered with a right hand around the guard, but Joshua returned the favor with a much more massive right hand that floored the former UFC champion! Ngannou seems to have his wits about him when back on his feet, and Joshua is patient until the bell.
10-8 Joshua
FRANCIS GETS DROPPED EARLY pic.twitter.com/ncFcjGcUG5
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 9, 2024
Round Two
Joshua moved his feet well early in the second, drawing the left hook out from his opponent. Once again, Joshua lined up a crisp straight right hand. Joshua worked up and down the body with more jabs, and when Ngannou tried to answer with a combination, a left hook floored him! Ngannou popped up well, but Joshua stepped in with a massive overhand that SLEPT Ngannou! That’s it! ONE PUNCH KO FOR ANTHONY JOSHUA!
Anthony Joshua BRUTALLY knocks out Francis Ngannou in the second round.
@MikeBohn pic.twitter.com/6DeRyiVcOA
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 9, 2024
This was the worst case scenario for Ngannou, the outcome many expected against Tyson Fury. Clearly, Joshua learned lessons from Fury, coming very prepared for this match up and taking Ngannou seriously. Consequently, he was able to expose Ngannou’s inexperience and capitalize with brutal punches.
Time for that PFL debut?
Official Result: Anthony Joshua defeats Francis Ngannou via second-round knockout
For much more on the Joshua vs. Ngannou boxing spectacle in Riyadh click here.