British boxer Anthony Joshua has defeated former UFC title-holder Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
The former two-time world champion demolished the ex-MMA star by knockout in the second round with a huge right hand.
Cameroonian fighter Ngannou toppled to the canvas after the destructive final punch from 34-year-old Joshua, as the crowd in Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena erupted.
Dazed and hurt, Ngannou managed to recover and exchanged words with Joshua, as the victor urged him “not to leave” boxing despite his crushing defeat.
Joshua praised his opponent on his October bout with Tyson Fury – a clash which the Cameroonian narrowly lost – saying: “When I saw the fight with Fury, I thought damn, this guy could fight, I wanted a piece of that.”
The boxer who hails from Watford added Ngannou was an “inspiration [and a] a great champion” and the loss “shouldn’t take away from his capabilities”.
“He can come again. I told him he shouldn’t leave boxing. He’s two fights in, and he’s fought the best”, Joshua said.
Joshua’s words of comfort came after a relentless couple of rounds, where he floored Ngannou twice before knocking him out cold with an unblocked right hand.
Ngannou began the fight well with a few early hits but was shaken by the might of the Londoner whose boxing career continues to glitter.
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