In a brutal showdown on Saturday morning, Anthony Joshua delivered a devastating second-round knockout to Francis Ngannou, marking the end of Ngannou's second venture into a boxing ring. Ngannou, known for his MMA prowess, had gained attention by stunning Tyson Fury in his boxing debut last October, earning him the chance to face Joshua in a lucrative $20 million payday after Deontay Wilder's loss to Joseph Parker in December.
While Ngannou displayed initial promise, landing a powerful left hook, a switch to a southpaw stance appeared to reflect overconfidence.
In response, Joshua unleashed a colossal right hand that sent Ngannou crashing to the canvas towards the end of the first round. Despite standing up before the referee's ten-count, Ngannou couldn't escape Joshua's dominance.
The second round saw Joshua swiftly conclude the fight, delivering a powerful backhand after jabbing to the body and head. Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, rose groggily only to be decisively eliminated by a single, thunderous right hand that left him trembling and unable to rise.
This knockout victory positions Joshua for a potential clash with the winner between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr U, solidifying his status as a force in the boxing arena.
