RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua stopped Francis Ngannou in the second round on Saturday, dominating his matchup with the ex-UFC heavyweight champ. Joshua floored Ngannou in the first round and again in the second with right hands at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
British former world champion Anthony Joshua celebrates after winning the fight against Francis Ngannou during the heavyweight boxing showdown at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The 37-year-old Ngannou eventually got up to his stool, but the mixed martial arts star was dazed and clearly hurt after his encounter with Joshua in only his second pro boxing match. Joshua and Ngannou embraced and talked afterward. Joshua came out to control the distance with his famously sharp jab, but Ngannou got in a few good shots early. Joshua abruptly floored Ngannou with less than a minute left in the first round, firing a straight right hand through Ngannou’s patchy guard.
Now 34, Joshua won his last three fights before accepting this meeting with Ngannou, whose talent and name recognition turned it into a big-money matchup.