November 22, 2024

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Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua Full Results: Joshua quickly KOs Ngannou

Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua Full Results: Joshua quickly KOs Ngannou

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 08: Anthony Joshua punches Francis Ngannou during the heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou on the Knockout Chaos boxing card at Kingdom Arena on March 08, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Francis Ngannou may have suffered the biggest loss professional boxing has ever seen. He then faced Anthony Joshua.

The former UFC heavyweight champion was knocked out cold in just two rounds by the former unified heavyweight champion, who proved to be a much bigger problem for Ngannou than WBC champion Tyson Fury in October.

Ngannou entered that Fury bout as a heavy underdog to the champion — one promoter called the bout “a disgrace” — but he distinguished himself from many MMA fighters-turned-boxers with a performance that wouldn't have looked out of place from a seasoned heavyweight contender. He managed to drop Fury in the third round and had the crowd chant his name in the final round.

He was not lucky on Friday in Riyadh. He lost once in the first round and twice in the second, which would likely end the Cameroonian boxer's short-lived career.

In a co-main event, Zhilei Zhang scored two knockouts against Joseph Parker, but it was not enough as Parker walked away by majority decision to claim the interim WBC heavyweight title. Zhang took his foot off the pedal after the two knockdowns, which came in Rounds 3 and 6, and Parker stayed busy long enough to win on points.

“I feel like we're on our way now, Chang's a tough guy,” Parker said in his post-fight interview. “He knocked me out twice. I'm very happy, I'm going home and celebrating. Hard work, hard work, hard work. It's an unbelievable feeling, look where we are. The next step is that I'll fight Zhang.” Again, this is what we contracted for.”

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Here's how the entire card will appear in Saudi Arabia:

Live coverage has ended78 updates

  • “Don't quit boxing, don't do it,” Joshua was heard telling a still-dazed Ngannou

  • Ngannou is still being cared for. AJ remained calm even after a bad KO completely turned off Ngannou's lights.

  • it's all over. Anthony Joshua just knocked out Francis Ngannou Cold! amazing.

  • Ngannou falls again!!

  • AJ looks very confident now in the second.

  • Ngannou switched to southpaw for some reason midway through the first segment allowing AJ to adjust and land that huge knockout blow. 10-8 after the first round.

  • AJ crushes Ngannou two minutes into the fight with a big right hand!

  • No jingles! The battle continues now!

  • Francis Ngannou is in the ring and Anthony Joshua is doing his ring tour now. The fighting could actually start before 3:40 a.m. local time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua main card results, highlights

Heavyweight: Anthony Joshua defended. Francis Ngannou by KO in R2:

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Heavyweight: Joseph Parker def. Chili Chang by majority decision (113-113, 114-112, 115-111)
Featherweight Championship: Rey Vargas vs. Nick Paul ends in a draw (114-112, 110-116, 113-113)
Super Welterweight Championship: def. Israel Madrimov. Magomed Kurbanov by TKO at R5
Lightweight: Mark Chamberlain def. Gavin Gwynne by TKO at R4:

Heavyweight: Justis Honey defeated. Kevin Lerena by unanimous decision (96-94, 96-94, 98-92)

Highlights of the preliminary card results for Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua

Super welterweight: Lewis Green def. Jack McGann by TKO at 1:29 of R1:

Heavyweight: Andrei Nowitzki def. Juan Torres by TKO at 2:43 of R1
Super lightweight: Ziad Al-Mayouf defeated. Christian Lopez Flores by decision (60-54)
Heavyweight: defeating Roman Fury. Martin Svarek by decision (39-37)