Saturday, 09 March 2024 04:42

Nigeria-born Joshua defeats Cameroon’s Ngannou with second-round knockout

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Two-time world champion Anthony Joshua knocked out mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou in just the second round of their heavyweight clash in the early hours of Saturday.

Joshua had his Cameroonian opponent on the canvas in the first round and twice more in the second in a brutal and brief exhibition of punching power.

Ngannou, 37, a former UFC heavyweight champion, was taking part in only his second professional boxing match, having lost a split decision to Tyson Fury in an October fight that saw him put the WBC champion on the canvas in the third round.

“I thought this fight was something for the broadcasters to get behind,” Joshua told broadcaster DAZN after his quickfire victory.

“When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury, I thought, ‘I want some of that’. He is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities.

“I told (Ngannou) not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he fought the best.”

Joshua, a former unified WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion, went into the fight on the back of three successive wins.

Before that, however, he lost back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk, who will fight Fury for the undisputed heavyweight title in Saudi Arabia in May.

The fight only got under way at 3:30 am local time (0030 GMT), but weary fans enjoyed a sensational start when Joshua quickly sent Ngannou to the canvas in the opening round with a brutal right to the chin.

It got worse for the Cameroonian when he was knocked down again in the second round, just managing to beat the count.

But his resistance lasted just a few more moments after he was sent to the canvas again for the third and final time.

He lay on his back for some time and needed medical treatment inside the ring before being helped back to his stool.

Joshua, 34, was reportedly being paid $50 million for his clash with Ngannou, whose rags-to-riches story had captivated the sport.

The MMA star grew up in abject poverty, working as a child labourer in a sand quarry for under $2 a day.

Ngannou then made his way to Europe, even sleeping rough in a car park in Paris before a local coach took him under his wing and guided him to boxing.

 

The Guardian

March 25, 2025

Jet fuel from Nigeria's Dangote refinery hits US market

U.S. jet fuel imports are set to hit a two-year high in March after Nigeria's…
March 25, 2025

Democracy dying in Nigeria, Obasanjo, Obi, others say

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election,…
March 24, 2025

The Shamrock principle: Why 3 is the magic number in leadership

Scott Hutcheson The best leaders don’t leave influence to chance. They structure their communication, decision-making,…
March 23, 2025

Mr Macaroni declines donations amid N500m debt revelation

Popular comedian and activist, Mr Macaroni, has clarified that he is not seeking financial assistance…
March 24, 2025

Bandits ambush, kill 10 security personnel in Zamfara

Tragedy struck in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State as six operatives of the…
March 25, 2025

What to know after Day 1125 of Russia-Ukraine war

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE Ukrainian artillery attack kills three Russian journalists, regional head says A Ukrainian artillery…
March 25, 2025

Eating this fruit could lower depression risk, study shows

Kloe Quill The gut has long been linked to overall health, underscoring the importance of…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.