Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou: Heavyweight Boxing – as it happened
Follow our coverage as Saudi Arabia plays host to a heavyweight bout between Anthony Joshua faces Francis Ngannou.
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Anthony Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou in the second round of their heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, March 9:
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Anthony Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou in the second round of their heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, March 9:
- Anthony Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou in the second round of their heavyweight boxing match in Saudi Arabia.
- The British fighter twice floored the Cameroonian at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena before a third knockout blow ended the contest.
- Joshua had his eye on victory to set up a potential fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury, which now seems inevitable given the manner of the victory.
- Cameroon’s Ngannou is a former UFC and was standing in only his second boxing bout having floored Fury in an eventual loss in his debut.
- Fury will face Oleksandr Usyk – the WBA, IBF and WBO champion – in their rearranged May 18 bout that will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000.
Goodbye for now
Well, that was quite the spectacle and worth the wait.
Both boxers, and fans around the world, were kept waiting by the undercard bouts.
How it was worth every second of the time spent in anticipation.
That final right-hand punch from Anthony Joshua will be talked about and replayed for years.
It was as destructive and powerful a punch as you could imagine.
The damage had been done by the previous two blows and Francis Ngannou had no energy left to respond to the build-up to the knockout blow as Joshua lined up his man.
We hope you enjoyed our build-up – not quite to the level of Joshua’s – and the coverage of the fight itself.
It was a blockbuster performance from the man who would be king of the heavyweight division.
A huge fight awaits Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Uysk, which will set up the most mouthwatering of fights after Joshua’s display in Riyadh.
Do join us again for more live coverage from Al Jazeera soon.
Saturday and Sunday are packed with T20 international cricket and Premier League football, so please tune in if you can.
For now though, from me Kevin Hand, it’s a very good night.
Respect my guy 🤝 African Giants 🌍 @francis_ngannou pic.twitter.com/PBIMf0q73l
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) March 9, 2024
Over to Fury and Usyk
After the big bout between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou, the next heavyweight date for the diary is May 18.
Tyson Fury will face Oleksandr Usyk in the first undisputed heavyweight title fight since 1999.
Joshua awaits for what will be one of the biggest heavyweight bouts in recent history.
WE HAVE A NEW DATE MAY 18th,
cant wait to smash the rabbit.
massive respect to my brother @Turki_alalshikh the biggest fight of the century. Its always about the GK TYSON FURY ROLLES ON 😜🙏 pic.twitter.com/BQtKkKHWuN— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) February 3, 2024
‘He will knock out Fury’
Promoter Eddie Hearn reiterated his belief that Anthony Joshua has come of age.
“That is a monster. The number one boxer in the world,” Hearn said of his fighter.
“If he gets in the ring with Fury, he will knock him out.
“I’ve got the best heavyweight in the world.”
‘I questioned myself’
Anthony Joshua says he questioned himself to grow as a fighter.
The British boxer said he rebuilt his game, which forced him to examine his fighting style.
“I questioned myself. It’s a tough game – the heavyweight division is one of the toughest in the world,” Joshua told Sky Sports.
“Losing isn’t good, but what it does for me is help new fighters come through and tell them how to improve.
“If I was the old ‘AJ’, it would have been strength vs strength, but I’ve been able to go in there and take him [Ngannou] out without receiving any damage.
“I’ve been a student of the game, and I’ve lost fights because I’ve changed.
When pushed once again on the prospect of facing Tyson Fury, Joshua said he is just remaining focused on improving.
“If they want me, they can come knocking at my door. I’ll get in there and do my best,” he added.
Ngannou was a sitting duck in the end
By the time of the third knockdown, which turned out to be a knockout, Francis Ngannou was finished.
There is some thought that the fight could, and maybe should, have been stopped after the second knockdown.
Ngannou was clearly dazed, confused and rooted to the spot when Anthony Joshua landed the final right hand, which got everyone raving about the power he generated.
‘You lot put too much pressure on me’
Anthony Joshua refused to be drawn on the next fight and the prospect of facing Tyson Fury for a shot at being champion of the world.
“You lot put too much pressure on me,” Joshua continued on Sky Sports.
“I’m not getting involved in all of that.”
‘The baddest man on the planet’
Promoter Eddie Hearn says there is no better fighter on the planet than Anthony Joshua.
Hearn also called for Tyson Fury to unify the belts against Oleksandr Usyk to set up a meeting with Joshua.
“He [Joshua] is the baddest man on the planet. There is no one in the world that can beat him,” Hearn told Sky Sports.
“It will be the biggest fight in the history of the sport when Joshua faces Fury. Please, Tyson. Beat Usyk.
“That was one of the most destructive knockouts I have seen.
“He is a savage beast, and I cannot wait for him to beat Tyson Fury.”
‘Damn, he can fight’
Anthony Joshua says he didn’t underestimate Francis Ngannou and believes this is just the beginning for the Cameroonian, not the end.
“I thought this was something for the broadcasters and entertainers to get behind,” Joshua told Sky Sports.
“But when I saw [Ngannou] fight Fury I thought: ‘Damn, he can fight’.
“He can come again. He’s two fights in, and he fought the best. He’s a great fighter. It’s up to him.
“Am I coming into my peak? It only takes one shot. I am just pushing day by day and making the most of it.
“In five years, this will all be a distant memory, and I won’t be fighting any more.”
Joshua and Ngannou embrace
The Cameroonian is back on his feet for the announcement of Joshua’s win.
The Brit immediately comes to show his concern. There’s a lot of respect out there.
Three brutal punches
Joshua hurt Ngannou with each of the three knockdowns.
The second in particular stunned the Cameroonian with a blow to the side of the temple, having struck the jaw with the first knockdown.
The third and final blow went clean through the defence of Ngannou, who hadn’t recovered from the second punch.
His legs completely collapsed below him.
Relief as Ngannou is brought around and is back on his bench
Relief all around as Ngannou regains consciousness and is helped to his corner to take his seat.
The medics surround Ngannou
The Cameroonian took three heavy blows and the medics are immediately in the ring to tend to Ngannou.
Joshua wins with more than a minute to spare in the second round
That was a complete mismatch.
Ngannou never landed a punch and was knocked down twice before being knocked out.
Joshua knocks out Ngannou
Another right hand floors Ngannou and the Cameroonian is out cold.
Ngannou goes down again
Joshua takes Ngannou down as the Cameroonian opens up to try to get in this fight.
Ngannou is sluggish compared with the sprightly Joshua
Another right hand from Joshua connects at the start of the second round, but not with the same effect.
Ngannou is yet to find his way in this bout.
Round One is Joshua’s
The jab to the jaw to floor Ngannou seals the first round.
Ngannou is floored
It was a heavy connection from Joshua that sent Ngannou tumbling backwards.
He switched to south paw before unleashing a right-hand jab to the jaw.
Joshua leans in and Ngannou swings hard
Joshua looked to go low with the jab and Nganna swings over his head, just skimming the scalp.
The bell has rung
It felt like a low-key approach from both before the start and fully focused.
It’s a tentative start in the opening minute.
Let’s get ready to rumble
Introduced as the most dangerous puncher in the heavyweight division, Ngannou is announced to the crowd with a weight of 272.6 pounds [123.7kg].
Joshua is announced as weighing in at 252.2 pounds [114.4kg], and the pair meet the ref in the middle of the ring.
Ngannou appears to be calming himself
The Cameroonian fighter, in a pink, white and gold robe, appears to be working on his breathing and calming his body as he focuses for the fight ahead.
Joshua appears at the end of the tunnel
Donned in a white robe with a glittering effect, Anthony Joshua steps out of his dressing room and walks through the tunnel of pyrotechnics to enter the ring.
Ngannou is on his way to the ring
The Predator is announced and, amid a tunnel of showering sparks, the Cameroonian enters the ring.
Enjoy the show ☝🏿 #JoshuaNgannou pic.twitter.com/22wMOfBAVI
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) March 8, 2024
The main event arrives
The announcer takes to the ring as we see the final shots of the fighters in the dressing rooms.