Former world champion Anthony Joshua brutally knocked out boxing newbie Francis Ngannou in just the second round of their heavyweight clash, sending a powerful statement to the division’s other top-ranked boxers.

Joshua floored the former UFC champion in the first round and early in the second. A dazed Ngannou rose to his feet but was stunned by an explosive and formidable right moments later as the referee halted the contest.

The 37-year-old appeared to be out before he hit the canvas and required medical treatment, as Joshua delivered a brutal exhibition of punching power.

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After the fight, Joshua expressed readiness to take on the winner of the Usyk vs Fury heavyweight unified title clash.

“I’m going back to my cage and when they let me out, I’ll fight again.

“When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought ‘I want some of that’. [Ngannou] is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities”. 

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Despite the defeat’s brutal manner, Joshua urged Ngannou not to quit boxing, telling him he was an “inspiration”. In a post on X after the clash, Joshua shared a picture of both men, with the caption “Respect my guy African Giants”.

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Francis Ngannou was fighting only his second boxing match following his crossover from Mixed Martial Arts.  In his first fight last October, he knocked down Tyson Fury twice and was widely believed by fans to have won, but the judges scored the match for Fury.

And taking to X after his defeat to Joshua, Ngannou wrote “Sorry guys I let you all down, Today was a bad day in the office but tomorrow will be another day. Thank you all for the love.”

https://twitter.com/francis_ngannou/status/1766274683408650260