J
Jimmysow
Guest
Before the fight, there was speculation that Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion who had previously knocked down Tyson Fury, could pose a serious challenge to Joshua, the two-time heavyweight boxing champion.
However, as the clock passed 3:30 am in Riyadh, Joshua defied expectations, sending Ngannou to the canvas three times within the first six minutes of the fight.
Initially, Ngannou seemed sharp, boxing with poise and seeking openings, while Joshua remained patient. But a sudden switch to southpaw by Ngannou changed the momentum. Joshua landed a massive right hand, knocking Ngannou down, visibly stunning him.
In the second round, the outcome felt inevitable, yet few anticipated Ngannou being knocked out towards the end of the round. Although Ngannou bravely rose after the second knockdown, he was knocked out cold by a third devastating right hand from Joshua.
Despite the victory, Joshua showed respect and refrained from excessive celebration as Ngannou received medical attention. It took several minutes before Ngannou was able to sit up and eventually stand, but he later shared an embrace with Joshua.
Now, Joshua awaits the outcome of the undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18, determining whether he will face one of them or move towards a showdown with Filip Hrgovic for the soon-to-be-vacant IBF belt in the summer.
