Anthony Joshua delivered a stunning knockout victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday, solidifying his status as one of the top fighters in the division. The British superstar took less than two rounds to finish Ngannou, with a pair of knockdowns before the final blow that sealed the deal.
The victory sends a clear message to Tyson Fury, who was in attendance at the fight. Fury had a tough time against Ngannou last October, barely scraping by with a split decision win after being knocked down. Joshua now waits to see how Fury’s upcoming fight against Oleksandr Usyk plays out before deciding his next move. Joshua had previously lost his titles to Usyk in two decision defeats in 2021 and 2022.
Ngannou, who did not speak to the media after the fight, posted a statement on social media apologizing to his fans for the loss. Despite the defeat, Ngannou remains a formidable opponent in the heavyweight division.
In the co-main event, Joseph Parker secured a majority decision victory over Zhilei Zhang, earning the WBO interim title and positioning himself for a potential shot at Fury or Usyk. Parker overcame two knockdowns in the fight, showcasing his resilience and determination.
Rey Vargas managed to retain his WBC featherweight title in a close split draw against Nick Ball, ensuring that he will continue to hold onto his championship belt.
The event also featured Israil Madrimov’s fifth-round TKO victory over Magomed Kubranov for the vacant WBA super welterweight title, as well as Mark Chamberlain’s fourth-round TKO win over Gavin Gwynne.
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