Pros react after Anthony Joshua brutally KO’s Francis Ngannou

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou squared off with Anthony Joshua in the headliner of today’s boxing event in Saudi Arabia.

The ‘Ngannou vs. Joshua’ fight was to be contested over ten rounds at heavyweight.

Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 0-2 Boxing) had of course made his professional boxing debut this past October when he squared off with reigning WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Despite being an enormous betting underdog, ‘The Predator’ shocked the world by knocking down ‘The Gypsy King’ and taking the fight all the way to the judges’ scorecards. Although he wound up suffering a split decision defeat, Ngannou’s stock only rose in the controversial setback.

As for Anthony Joshua (28-3), the British heavyweight had most previously competed a last month’s ‘Day of Reckoning’ event, where he scored a fifth-round TKO victory over Otto Wallin (see that here). That finish marked Joshua’s third win in a row, as he had previously scored victories over Robert Helenius and Jermaine Franklin respectively.

Tonight’s ‘Joshua vs. Ngannou’ bout proved to be a one-sided affair. Anthony Joshua was able to drop Francis Ngannou with a left jab early in the opening round and proceeded to cruise from there. The British heavyweight was clearly faster and more technically sound and utilized those traits to put ‘The Predator’ to sleep with a big right hand in round two (see that here).

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

Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Joshua vs. Ngannou’ below:

We are with you 🫡 https://t.co/sWNNDiQC5q

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 8, 2024

🤯 @Tyson_Fury predicts a FIRST ROUND AJ WIN #JoshuaNgannou, live now worldwide on DAZN. Buy 𝗡𝗢𝗪 at https://t.co/FoiaUucafv#KnockoutChaos | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/YfXQ2DGLkK

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 9, 2024

Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua is about to begin 🔥 #JoshuaNgannou

— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) March 9, 2024

I don’t know why I’m nervous 😆 #JoshuaNgannou

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 9, 2024

Cagey first round from both, peach of a right hand though #JoshuavsNgannou

— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) March 9, 2024

Shit

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 9, 2024

Post-fight reactions to Anthony Joshua sleeping Francis Ngannou:

All respect to Francis but thats what should've happened unfortunately, not a great look for Fury 😅 #JoshuavsNgannou

— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) March 9, 2024

https://twitter.com/funkmasterMMA/status/1766261633935184003

Hope he’s ok

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 9, 2024

Ffs that’s a bad ko #JoshuaNgannou

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 9, 2024

https://t.co/3HCYuh0Fwk pic.twitter.com/p12nijiQG9

— “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) March 9, 2024

The Drake curse continues

— Paige VanZant (@paigevanzant) March 9, 2024

Holy shit that was nasty

— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouse) March 9, 2024

Still the Baddest Mufucka on the planet 😤

— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) March 9, 2024

Who would you like to see Anthony Joshua fight next following his knockout victory over Francis Ngannou this evening in Saudi Arabia?