Tag: Anthony Joshua

Fighters react to Anthony Joshua’s scary KO win over Francis Ngannou: ‘Stop coming to boxing, it will only get worse’

Fighters react to Anthony Joshua's KO win over Francis Ngannou stop coming to boxing it will only get worseMixed martial arts fighters have been warned against pursuing further crossover boxing fights in the future – in the…

Fighters react to Anthony Joshua's KO win over Francis Ngannou stop coming to boxing it will only get worse

Mixed martial arts fighters have been warned against pursuing further crossover boxing fights in the future – in the immediate aftermath of former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou’s brutal one-punch KO loss to boxing star, Anthony Joshua inside two rounds in Saudi Arabia tonight.

Ngannou, a former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, headlined a ‘Knockout Chaos’ billed card tonight in the Middle East against former two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic star, Joshua, in just his second professional boxing match.

And suffering his second consecutive loss following a controversial decision defeat to Tyson Fury last August, Ngannou was finished in devastating fashion by Joshua – who flattened the Cameroonian with a hellacious KO in the second round.

Francis Ngannou Richard Pelham
Mandatory Credit: Richard Pelham

Dropped in the first frame after switching to southpaw, Ngannou was immediately met flush with a straight right shot, sending him to the canvas.

Anthony Joshua flattens Francis Ngannou in Riyadh

And dropped twice in quick succession in the next round, Ngannou was immediately with a right hand from the bleachers from Joshua after a standing eight count, sending him folded to the canvas once more, this time for good.

Anthony Joshua lands thunderous second round KO win over Francis Ngannou in stunning victory Highlights
Mandatory Credit: Richard Pelham

Reacting to Ngannou’s stunning knockout loss in Riyadh tonight, a host of boxing stars and fighters urged mixed martial arts competitors to avoid further ventures to the squared circle in the future – as well as heralding Joshua’s performance.

“Let this be A BIG WARNING to MMA fighters!!” Ryan Garcia posted on X. “Stop coming to boxing it will only get worst (sic). IT’s more vent if we just go to your sport! OVER! ONE PUNCH. Sending healing prayers to FRANCIS! Your bravery and guys should be commendable. CONGRATULATIONS Anthony Joshua.” 

“Still the baddest muf*cka on the planet,” Kamaru Usman posted. 

“The Drake curse continues,” UFC alum Paige VanZant posted on X.

“I told y’all,” Badou Jack posted on social media.

“NOW THAT WAS FOR BOXING,” Shawn Porter shared on X.

Breaking – Anthony Joshua stops Francis Ngannou with vicious second round KO in shocking win – Highlights

Anthony Joshua lands thunderous second round KO win over Francis Ngannou in stunning victory HighlightsFormer two-time world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua has handed former UFC heavyweight kingpin, Francis Ngannou one of the most…

Anthony Joshua lands thunderous second round KO win over Francis Ngannou in stunning victory Highlights

Former two-time world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua has handed former UFC heavyweight kingpin, Francis Ngannou one of the most shocking knockout losses to come this year with doubt — in the form of a spectacular one-punch KO in their main event clash at Knockout Chaos tonight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Joshua, a former two-time heavyweight champion, scored a 10-8 round against the former UFC heavyweight champion in the first frame of their 10 round clash tonight in the Middle East, landing flush on a southpaw Ngannou with a well-timed and placed right hand straight.

Francis Ngannou Richard Pelham
Mandatory Credit: Richard Pelham

And in the second frame, managing to flatten Ngannou to his backside with a right hand before the turn of the second round, Joshua appeared on his way to a one-sided win.

However, welcoming Ngannou back to his feet after a standing eight count, Watford native, Joshua felled the former mixed martial arts heavyweight gold holder with a huge, devastating overhand right shot — sending him back to the canvas in brutal fashion, completely unconscious.

Sending further ripples and shockwaves throughout the world of boxing, Olympian star, Joshua extended his winning run to four straight fights, following other recent knockout wins over both Robert Helenius, and Otto Wallin in blockbuster clashes last year.

Anthony Joshua lands thunderous second round KO win over Francis Ngannou in stunning victory Highlights
Mandatory Credit: Richard Pelham

Following his win over Ngannou, Joshua called for his shot against the victor of this year’s upcoming championship unification bout between world championship duo, Tyson Fury, and Oleksandr Usyk.

Below, catch the highlights from Anthony Joshua’s thunderous KO win over Francis Ngannou

Drake drops whopping $615,000 bet on Francis Ngannou to beat Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia fight

Drake bets whopping $615,000 on Francis Ngannou to beat Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia fightOnce more parting with a significant sum of money to the bookies ahead of a high-profile combat sports event,…

Drake bets whopping $615,000 on Francis Ngannou to beat Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia fight

Once more parting with a significant sum of money to the bookies ahead of a high-profile combat sports event, Canadian rapper and R&B star, Drake has bet more than $600,000 on former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou to beat boxing star, Anthony Joshua in their fight tonight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight titleholder under the banner of the UFC, makes his second outing inside the squared circle tonight in the Middle East – taking former two-time world heavyweight champion, Joshua in a high-stakes professional boxing match.

Sidelined since August of last year, Cameroonian knockout artist, Ngannou, who now plys his trade with the PFL (Professional Fighters League) – most recently went the distance in a controversial split decision loss to unbeaten WBC champion, Tyson Fury last August, scoring a surprising knockdown to boot.

Drake massively backs Francis Ngannou to beat Anthony Joshua

And drawing Joshua as a significant betting underdog this weekend, Ngannou has got the backing of the Canadian musician – who has slapped a whopping $615,000 bet on the former UFC star to win tonight in the Middle East – which would see him next almost $2,000,000.

“Betting on a scary man,” He posted on his official Instagram account, accompanied by a slip of his massive wager on Francis Ngannou to beat Anthony Joshua in their boxing match.

Drake’s new flutter on Ngannou to beat Joshua inside the ring tonight in Saudi Arabia, comes as the latest in a string of high-profile bets on both boxing and mixed martial arts stars to win their respective bouts.

Of note recently, Drake lost a staggering $700,000 on Sean Strickland – betting on the defending champion to retain his title in an eventual decision loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 back in January. 

Drake 6
Mandatory Credit: Marcelo Hernandez

Back in December, Drake also bet a cool $1,200,000 on defending welterweight champion, Leon Edwards to beat Colby Covington – which he did, however, via method of knockout, which he did not. 

And while the Canadian superstar is parting ways with over half a million dollars to bet on Ngannou tonight against Joshua – the Batié native candidly revealed earlier this week how he received a generous loan of $200,000 from close friend and former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman to keep him afloat amid financial struggles ahead of his UFC exit over two years ago. 

Do you go with Drake and pick Francis Ngannou to beat Anthony Joshua tonight?

Francis Ngannou reveals Kamaru Usman lent him $200,000 ahead of UFC exit: ‘I was broke’

Francis Ngannou reveals Kamaru Usman lent him $200,000 ahead of UFC exit I was brokeFormer undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has revealed former welterweight titleholder, Kamaru Usman lent him $200,000 ahead of…

Francis Ngannou reveals Kamaru Usman lent him $200,000 ahead of UFC exit I was broke

Former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has revealed former welterweight titleholder, Kamaru Usman lent him $200,000 ahead of his final Octagon walk two years ago – claiming he was “broke” heading into the final bout on his contract with the Dana White-led promotion.

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion, currently signed to the PFL (Professional Fighters League), is slated to make his return to combat sports this weekend in Saudi Arabia, making his sophomore outing in the boxing ring.

Taking former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, Batié native, Joshua most recently went the distance against unbeaten WBC champion, Tyson Fury last August, scoring a knockdown on the British fighter in a controversial split decision loss.

AJ Ngannou weigh ins

And sharing details on his final contracted fight with the UFC two years ago ahead of his return to Riyadh to take on Joshua, ex-heavyweight titleholder, Ngannou revealed he earned just $600,000 for his fight with then-interim champion, Ciryl Gane – requiring a significant loan from former pound-for-pound king, Usman due to his financial struggles.

Francis Ngannou reveals deed from Kamaru Usman

“He (Kamaru Usman) knew a lot about stuff I turned down from the UFC during negotiation,” Francis Ngannou told Pound 4 Pound during a recent appearance. “Even my last fight in the UFC, you know, I took $600,000 for my last fight in the UFC as opposed to $5,000,000 that they were offering for the same fight. I was like, ‘Bro.’ And, I was broke, at the time I owe (Kamaru) usman – I owe him $200,000.”

“I had a goal, I had my own way, I wanted something,” Francis Ngannou explained. “And it couldn’t be delivered. I couldn’t sell out what I wanted just because of more money. Obviously, I needed that money, I had never had that amount of money.”

A close friend of Cameroonian knockout ace, Ngannou, former welterweight best, Usman recently claimed that if he simply put his mind to it – and even wanted to, he could very well reclaim his welterweight championship in the future.

Can Francis Ngannou spoils the party and beat Anthony Joshua this weekend?

Francis Ngannou reveals Kamaru Usman lent him $200,000 ahead of UFC exit: ‘I was broke’

Francis Ngannou reveals Kamaru Usman lent him $200,000 ahead of UFC exit I was brokeFormer undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has revealed former welterweight titleholder, Kamaru Usman lent him $200,000 ahead of…

Francis Ngannou reveals Kamaru Usman lent him $200,000 ahead of UFC exit I was broke

Former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has revealed former welterweight titleholder, Kamaru Usman lent him $200,000 ahead of his final Octagon walk two years ago – claiming he was “broke” heading into the final bout on his contract with the Dana White-led promotion.

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion, currently signed to the PFL (Professional Fighters League), is slated to make his return to combat sports this weekend in Saudi Arabia, making his sophomore outing in the boxing ring.

Taking former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, Batié native, Joshua most recently went the distance against unbeaten WBC champion, Tyson Fury last August, scoring a knockdown on the British fighter in a controversial split decision loss.

AJ Ngannou weigh ins

And sharing details on his final contracted fight with the UFC two years ago ahead of his return to Riyadh to take on Joshua, ex-heavyweight titleholder, Ngannou revealed he earned just $600,000 for his fight with then-interim champion, Ciryl Gane – requiring a significant loan from former pound-for-pound king, Usman due to his financial struggles.

Francis Ngannou reveals deed from Kamaru Usman

“He (Kamaru Usman) knew a lot about stuff I turned down from the UFC during negotiation,” Francis Ngannou told Pound 4 Pound during a recent appearance. “Even my last fight in the UFC, you know, I took $600,000 for my last fight in the UFC as opposed to $5,000,000 that they were offering for the same fight. I was like, ‘Bro.’ And, I was broke, at the time I owe (Kamaru) usman – I owe him $200,000.”

“I had a goal, I had my own way, I wanted something,” Francis Ngannou explained. “And it couldn’t be delivered. I couldn’t sell out what I wanted just because of more money. Obviously, I needed that money, I had never had that amount of money.”

A close friend of Cameroonian knockout ace, Ngannou, former welterweight best, Usman recently claimed that if he simply put his mind to it – and even wanted to, he could very well reclaim his welterweight championship in the future.

Can Francis Ngannou spoils the party and beat Anthony Joshua this weekend?

Francis Ngannou cooks Tyson Fury at press event in Saudi Arabia: ‘I’ll beat you every day, twice on Sunday!’

Francis Ngannou cooks Tyson FuryThings got intense between Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury during a pre-fight press event in Riyadh. On Friday, March…

Francis Ngannou cooks Tyson Fury

Things got intense between Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury during a pre-fight press event in Riyadh.

On Friday, March 8, ‘The Predator’ will make his sophomore appearance inside the squared circle when he meets the WBC’s top-ranked heavyweight contender, Anthony Joshua. With the bout mere hours away, both fighters took center stage for a press conference at Kingdom Arena on Wednesday.

During his time on the mic, Ngannou made it clear that once he handles some business with Joshua, a rematch with Tyson Fury will be the top priority.

“He will be the best so far, but I’m just getting started,” said Ngannou. “I’m looking for the victory on Friday, I don’t think it will be a statement because the road is still long. I want one more over Tyson, because I had the first one over him and I intend to have a second!”

Fury, who was in the crowd, shouted something back at Ngannou which elicited a fiery response from the former UFC heavyweight champion.

“I’m going to wipe the ring with your a** again – there was blood in the ring!” Ngannou added. Your only chance is in the boxing ring with boxing rules, when you step out the ring you better stay five metres away because if I lose it, you’ll have a really bad time my friend.

“Respect the fact boxing rules are protecting you, because you are nothing in front of me. I’ll beat you every day, twice on Sunday!”

Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury went 10 rounds in October 2023 with ‘The Gypsy King’ walking away the victor via a very close and downright questionable split decision. Despite the loss, Ngannou was praised by the pundits for his performance, which included a third-round knockdown of Fury. The showing also landed him at No. 10 in the WBC heavyweight rankings, setting the stage for his high-stakes clash with Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua goes into the bout with a 27-3 record, 24 of those wins coming by way of knockout. After suffering back-to-back losses against Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua has won three in a row against Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, and Otto Wallin.