Anthony Joshua defeated Francis Ngannou in the second round, securing his path to becoming a three-time world champion and thwarting any potential upsets.
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Ngannou had a tough night in his second appearance in the ring after his nearly successful professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury. Despite starting confidently, Joshua managed to knock him down in the opening round with a straight right hand.
In the second round of the fight between Joshua and Ngannou, things went downhill for the latter. Joshua landed a powerful right-hand punch that caused Ngannou to fall to the ground. Although Ngannou got back to his feet, Joshua followed up with another devasting overhand right that knocked him out completely. Ngannou immediately collapsed, and the referees stopped the fight.
The knockout not only marked Anthony Joshua's most destructive victory but also served as a statement of warning following his recent triumphs over Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.
Bet on Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk on 1xBetHow Much Was Earned From The Bout?
Reports gathered that Ngannou earned $20 million from the fight against Anthony Joshua, which is $10 million more than he earned from his fight with Tyson Fury.
According to the Sports Business Journal, Joshua earned $50 million from the fight, which is equivalent to £30 million.
Ngannou Hails Joshua's Brutal Knockout Punch: 'I didn't feel it'
Francis Ngannou congratulated Anthony Joshua after he was knocked out by Anthony Joshua in the second round of the bout, and Francis Ngannou acknowledged that he never even felt the final punch.
That was a clean one. 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 ... It was quite special because it stopped me. It did what Tyson Fury couldn’t do. It wasn’t my day, and he’s just way better than me today. It sucks, but it’s the game, we all know that. It’s the game.
Later, Ngannou tweeted,
Anthony Joshua made a Gun Gesture at Tyson Fury.
After winning the fight in style, Joshua appeared to make a gun gesture towards his next possible opponent, Fury, who was sitting in the front row at the Kingdom Arena.
If that was me [losing], you’d be saying, ‘Joshua should retire.’ I don’t know if I’m in my peak. I’m pushing day by day; who knows where it will take me? In five years, I won’t be fighting no more; this will be a distant memory.
When asked whether he would fight the winner of Fury and Usyk, who are set to box in Riyadh on May 18 for the chance to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion
I just want to fight, yes.
