Anthony Joshua defeated Francis Ngannou via knockout in the second round in one of the most anticipated boxing fights of the year at the Freedom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
We’ve got live round-by-round updates for the Joshua vs. Ngannou fight. It’s one of the most anticipated boxing matches this year. Taking place at the Freedom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on a Friday afternoon.
The main event’s kick-off? Around 6:30 p.m. ET. It’ll be on DAZN and PPV.com pay-per-view. For the undercard results, check out our Joshua vs. Ngannou results page.
Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 knockouts) is on a winning streak. Three straight wins, including two knockouts. He knocked out Otto Wallin in the fifth round last December.
Francis Ngannou (0-1), former UFC heavyweight champ, knocked down Tyson Fury in his first pro boxing fight. But, he fell short via split decision. He’s currently signed with the PFL for mixed martial arts.
Want the Joshua vs. Ngannou round-by-round live blog? It’s right below.
Prefight: Alright, let’s be real. That co-main event? Not exactly thrilling. Zhilei Zhang should’ve won, but 12 punches worth of cardio? Tough. Now, we wait for the main event (probably an hour, given the pacing).
Tyson Fury’s prediction? AJ by First-Round knockout. Seems unlikely. He’s a bit salty after nearly losing to an MMA fighter. But hey, we got a prediction. I was worried this card might be over. Looks like we’ve got another 20 minutes before the walkouts. The pacing tonight, huh?
Finally! Ring walks begin. Ngannou’s first. He’s walking to “God’s Plan” by Drake. White shorts with gold tassels, white robe with pink trim. And Ngannou? He looks relaxed. Confidence personified.
Joshua’s turn. White robe, black accents, white shorts. In the words of Omar Little, “I don’t see no sweat on his brow neither.”
Michael Buffer starts the festivities. For a nearly 80-year-old, he’s doing great. If I’ve got half his energy when I’m his age, I’ll consider myself lucky.
The two men meet in the middle for a final face off and touch gloves. It’s go time!
Round 1: Both men start in orthodox. Ngannou starts with a left hook. He’s tense. AJ’s setting some distance, putting a jab out there. Lots of feints. Ngannou eases up, sneaks a jab in there. And a left hook. He’s holding the center, lands a left to the body. A bit ugly. AJ jabs. He’s taking his time.
Ngannou looks better as a boxer since the Fury fight. Good defense. A bit sloppy and over-eager. And he switches stances. He’s going to give different looks.
But AJ drops him!!!! Straight right hand and Ngannou hits the canvas!!! Too cocky and paid for it! Ngannou is up and seems okay but that’s a message. Now Ngannou is back to orthodox. AJ tries to come in but Ngannou clinches. He’s got his feet under him now but AJ’s confidence is soaring.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 Joshua.
Round 2: That was amusing. Ngannou switched to southpaw and was immediately punished. Overconfident. And he was having a good round, too.
Both men step in with power. Both miss but they’re not looking to box. They want something serious. Ngannou holds the center, biting on all the feints. He looks less comfortable. Looks like a talented amateur. AJ’s taking his time, lands a right to the body.
AJ lines up a kill shot right hand but catches the shoulder. AJ has felt Ngannou’s power and he’s not in a rush. He’s going to be methodical. Ngannou’s flashing the jab. Showing a decent double jab. AJ is single shots, until it’s time for the right hand.
OH! Ngannou stepped in too aggressive and ate a MASSIVE right hand! He’s down again! That was BADDDDDD. Ngannou is up but he looks like he’s in trouble.
AND HE IS OH MY GOD IN HEAVEN LORD ABOVE ANTHONY JOSHUA SLEPT HIM! NGANNOU IS DOWN AND HE MIGHT NEVER GET UP. A CLEAN RIGHT HAND ON THE HURT NGANNOU AND THIS IS DONE. KO OF THE YEAR SEWN UP.
Post fight: Ngannou is finally up. Thank goodness. The first right hand is the cleanest you’ll ever see. Ngannou stepped right into it, full power, right on the temple. And then the finishing KO shot is full-on Tekken right hand. Ngannou was on shaky legs and AJ stepped into his right hand like Ngannou was a punch machine. Nasty fall, too.
AJ is all class afterwards. Ngannou might not know where he is, but AJ is there, telling him not to leave boxing. He tells Ngannou’s coaches that Francis can beat a lot of people, and then adds that he’d like to contribute to Francis’ foundation.
Official Decision: Anthony Joshua def. Francis Ngannou via KO — 2:38, Round 2.
Post fight: AJ’s all class in victory. He big ups Francis and shouts out his team. Then Eddie Hearn comes in to promote his fighter and build up a fight against the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury fight.