Joshua viciously KOs Ngannou just as Nigeria beat Cameroon at Afcon

It was a repeat of Super Eagles' defeat of Lions of Cameroon at the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Afcon as two times world champion Anthony Joshua made easy work of Ngannou, knocking him down twice before delivering a vicious knockout blow in the second round

On Friday, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou returned to the squared circle five months removed from his critically acclaimed clash with Tyson Fury.

This time, ‘The Predator’ will take on the WBC’s top-ranked contender and former two-time unified world heavyweight titleholder Anthony Joshua. Emanating from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Joshua goes into the bout fresh off a fifth-round knockout against Otto Wallin in December. The Watford, England native is 27-3 in his professional boxing career with 24 of his wins coming by bay of KO/TKO.

In the first round, Joshua kicks things off with a lazy jab to the body. Ngannou responds with a left hook. Both fighters look to get their jab going. A left hook from Ngannou is blocked by Joshua. Ngannou goes to the body with a right and Joshua jabs to the body in response. Ngannou throws a heavy right hook that briefly backs up AJ. A straight right hand from Joshua connects cleans and knocks Ngannou to the canvas. Ngannou answers the eight count and the fight resumes with 30 seconds left in the round. Joshua is showing great patience, refusing to rush in and get caught through the end of the round.

In the second round, Joshua keeps the jab coming, alternating attacks to Ngannou’s head and body as ‘The Predator’ starts to bite on every feint that AJ throws. Ngannou lands a nice long jab, Joshua responds going back to the body. Ngannou throws a jab and gets clipped with a right hand before the two fighters tie up. Ngannou goes upstairs with a jab before going to the body. Another nice jab from Joshua lands. AJ follows it up with another big right hand that puts Ngannou on the canvas for the second time in as many rounds.

Ngannou gets back to his feet and Joshua finishes the fight with a vicious right hook that renders ‘The Predator’ unconscious in the middle of the ring.

Official Result: Anthony Joshua def. Francis Ngannou via KO at 2:38 of Round 2.