Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Boxing result, highlights and fight reaction after crushing knockout last night
Follow the latest reaction and news after Anthony Joshua’s thrilling display against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia
Anthony Joshua produced one of the finest performances of his career in a devastating knockout of Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua, a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, took a step closer to a blockbuster undisputed fight against Tyson Fury with a superior performance to his rival, who was made to work by the Cameroonian on his debut last October.
• Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk: Date, UK start time, undercard and how to watch fight
Joshua dropped the former UFC champion twice before a crushing third knockdown pinned Ngannou to the canvas in an emphatic stoppage. Afterwards Ngannou hailed Joshua’s knockout power.
The 34-year-old confirmed he is now in line to face the winner of Fury against Oleksandr Usyk, who beat ‘AJ’ twice previously. Follow the latest reaction and relive all the action from Knockout Chaos below:
BREAKING: Anthony Joshua knocks Francis Ngannou out cold with ruthless performance
Anthony Joshua knocked Francis Ngannou out cold on Friday to position himself for a shot at the undisputed heavyweight title and the winner of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua dropped ex-UFC champion Ngannou in round one with a clean right hand, before doing the same in round two. After Ngannou beat the referee’s count following the second knockdown, Joshua knocked the Cameroonian out cold with his very next punch – another right cross.
With the win, “AJ” made it back-to-back wins under coach Ben Davison, a former trainer of Tyson Fury. Under Davison, 34-year-old Joshua stopped Otto Wallin in five rounds in December.
Billed as ‘Knockout Chaos’, Friday’s fight night was the latest event put on by Turki Al-Sheikh in Saudi Arabia.
Anthony Joshua knocks Francis Ngannou out cold with ruthless performance
‘AJ’ dropped the ex-UFC champion in round one and twice in round two, with the final knockdown proving decisive
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Latest fight updates
That was stunning power from Joshua, Ngannou crumpled on the canvas.
A sickening knockout and a message to Fury and Usyk, devastating damage.
Ngannou still on the canvas and being attended to.
Barker says it’s the “biggest right hand” he’s ever seen live.
A nice touch from Joshua with a message to Ngannou: "Don't leave boxing! If you need anything let me know."
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Latest fight updates
Round two
How does Ngannou react? He marches forward and engages, leading with the left hook again.
Joshua, in and out of distance, touched with a jab. Nice work from AJ and DOWN GOES NGANNOU AGAIN!
Now he’s hurt, that is a crushing right hand, GOOD NIGHT! A sickening right hand, Ngannou is out cold and this is concerning, he’s barely moving.
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Latest fight updates
Round one
A long hook from Ngannou to open up. Joshua bounces nicely, but Ngannou catches him to the body.
Jab from AJ, but Ngannou leads with a clubbing left hook.
Joshua more patient here, Ngannou switching to southpaw, but DOWN GOES NGANNOU!
Straight right hand from Joshua, down the pipe, Ngannou is badly hurt.
The Cameroonian survives, but that was textbook AJ, flipping the round with the right, stepping in, planted beautifully on his rival’s chin.
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Latest updates
Michael Buffer introduces the fighters, we’re almost there. Joshua has barely lost focus, a deadly stare towards Ngannou across the ring.
The first round begins, we’re underway!
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Latest updates
Ngannou looks supreme making his way to the ring. What an opportunity for the Cameroonian.
Now it’s AJ... in a white robe, razor-sharp focus, Joshua walks alone to the ring. It’s time!
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: AJ and The Predator set for ring walks
Benn: “AJ stoppage within, it depends on AJ, I'll go four to six.”
Haye: “I think AJ needs to get his respect early, he has to hold his feet and nail Ngannou, grind him down and stop him, or at worst on points.”
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: AJ up next!
Eddie Hearn: “Razor sharp, punching so hard, a different kind of venom. Understands the game plan, confident, a little bit worried. Time to make it happen.
“We hope it was a fluke night for Ngannou [against Fury]. I think he’ll break him down, eighth or ninth.”
Tyson Fury: “He looks good, his last two fights, he’s impressed. He’s back. A tough guy to fight, I hope he smashes Ngannou. If he doesn’t? I’ll have to do it after Usyk. He’s got too cocky. What a guy, he fought Fury on his debut, his second fight is Joshua, that’s got to be a record.
“I’m going Joshua in the first, come on the Brit!”
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: AJ up next!
Here we go then, the main event, it’s very late - past 3am local time, but finally the moment of truth.
The main event for Knockout Chaos is up next!
Joshua vs Ngannou LIVE: Zhang vs Parker
We go to the scorecards...
113-113, 114-112 and 115-111 to your winner, by majority decision: JOSEPH PARKER!
Parker: “Zhang is a tough man, Andy said: ‘keep your composure,’ I’m so happy, I want to go home and celebrate.
“Hard work, hard work and hard work. Next? I’m fighting Zhang again, I’m contracted to fight him again.”
Andy Lee: "Just the beginning, we can do a lot better. We'll go harder next time."
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