Anthony Joshua has claimed victory after brutally knocking out Francis Ngannou in the second round of their heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia.
The boxing event titled “The Knockout Chaos” lived up to its expectations as the main event at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Friday night.
The former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua scored two early knockdowns before shutting off his opponent’s lights with a booming right hand in the second round of the fight.
Fans were left shocked by the Cameroonian superstar’s poor performance against AJ after taking undefeated megastar Tyson Fury to the limit last year.
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Francis Ngannou couldn’t even remember what hit him.
He said, “That was a clean one,” as he described the knockout blow while appearing at the post-fight press conference.
“In fact, I didn’t feel the punch. That’s what the knockout is about. I don’t feel any pain.
That’s how I know I was knocked out.”
Ngannou was out for several minutes after the punch landed, but he eventually had some oxygen and got back onto his feet.
Afterwards, he issued an apology on social media, saying “sorry guys, I let you all down.” He also called his loss “a bad day in the office.”
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Meanwhile ,South Africa’s Kevin Lerena suffered defeat in Saudi Arabia on the Joshua and Ngannou undercard.
The South African took on Australia’s Justis Huni, but it ended in a unanimous decision defeat as he returned to fighting in the heavyweight division.
Joshua was full of praise for the UFC champion and urged the Cameroonian to continue his boxing career.
“He’s a great fighter man, he’s a great fighter,” Joshua said. “He’s done well. He’s a dreamer and a risk taker.
That’s his, I don’t think it should be clouded by tonight.”
Good news for Francis though, Saudi Arabia has awarded the MMA heavyweight champion a Premium Residency ahead of his highly-anticipated showdown with Anthony Joshua in Riyadh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) revealed on Instagram.
Under the premium scheme, individuals are eligible to own property, including residential, commercial, and industrial real estate, in all areas of Saudi Arabia, excluding Mecca, Madina, and the border regions.
It also grants individuals the right to own and license vehicles and other modes of transportation within the country, and allows them to leave and re-enter Saudi Arabia freely and as often as they please.
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