Home Columns Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou – Results & Post-Fight Report

Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou – Results & Post-Fight Report

With the eyes of the combat sports world watching, Anthony Joshua knocked Francis Ngannou out cold in Saudi Arabia

By
Paul Mason
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Joshua proved to be far too much for Ngannou in Riyadh. (Photo Credit: Mark Robinson, Matchroom)
Joshua proved to be far too much for Ngannou in Riyadh. (Photo Credit: Mark Robinson, Matchroom)

Anthony Joshua took on the challenge of Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia, and he flattened the former UFC world champion in a second round knockout win in their heavyweight meeting.

Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) had won three on the spin since losing in a rematch to Oleksandr Usyk, while Ngannou (0-2) made his boxing debut in October 2023, knocking down WBC world champion Tyson Fury before losing a contentious split decision over ten rounds.

Joshua looked as sharp as ever against Ngannou (Photo Credit: Mark Robinson, Matchroom)
Joshua looked as sharp as ever against Ngannou
(Photo Credit: Mark Robinson, Matchroom)

Ngannou was down from a thunderous Joshua right hand in the opening round, and he bravely beat the count, but a massive combination put him over heavily a round later, and although Ngannou beat the count, a lead right hand flattened the MMA specialist, and there was no need for a count.

 

Parker climbs off the canvas to beat Zhang

Joseph Parker won the interim WBO heavyweight title, as he got off the canvas twice to take a majority decision win against Zhilei Zhang.

Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) sent Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) to the canvas with a straight left hand in the third, and had the New Zealander on the deck once more in round eight, but Parker outworked his man through the contest and took a deserved win.

Parker climbed off the canvas twice to defeat Zhang Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Parker climbed off the canvas twice to defeat Zhang Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

A drawn card of 113-113 was overruled by scores of 115-111 and 114-112 in favour of Parker, as he breathed further new life into his career, that could lead to another world title shot.

Ball held to draw with Vargas

Nick Ball (19-0-1, 11 KOs) saw his hopes of winning the WBC featherweight title dashed, as Rey Vargas (36-1-1, 22 KOs) clung on to his title with a three-way split draw, despite scoring two knockdowns.

After largely controlling the first half of the contest, Vargas found himself in deep trouble in round seven, when an overhand right wobbled the Mexican to his boots, and he did well to see out the session.

 

A left hand while Vargas was on the retreat forced a knockdown in Ball’s favour in the eighth, and the Liverpudlian was relentless in stalking his opponent, eventually scoring another knockdown in the penultimate frame from a right hand.

The contest went to the scorecards in the end, with one judge scoring 114-112 Vargas, a second tallying 116-110 for Ball, and the third not able to split the two as the bout was ruled a 113-113 draw.

Two knockdowns were not enough for Ball to pry away Vargas' belt(Photo Credit: Mark Robinson, Matchroom)
Two knockdowns were not enough for Ball to pry away Vargas’ belt
(Photo Credit: Mark Robinson, Matchroom)

 

A new world champion crowned at 154lbs

Israil Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) became the new WBA super welterweight champion, as he stopped Magomed Kurbanov (25-1, 13 KOs) in five rounds. Kurbanov had no answers to what Madromov was bringing, and a sustained attack on the ropes in the fifth, with only the ropes keeping Kurbanov up, forced the referee to jump in.

 

 

Chamberlain proves far too much for Gwynne

Mark Chamberlain (15-0, 11 KOs) impressed on the bill and he claimed the vacant WBA Intercontinental lightweight title with a fourth round stoppage win against former British, Commonwealth and European champion, Gavin Gwynne (17-3-1, 5 KOs). Gwynne’s eye was a mess, and Chamberlain pinned the Welshman to the ropes, and after a volley of unanswered punches, the referee called a halt to the action.

Mark Chamberlain proved to be far too much for Gavin Gwynne. (Photo Credit: Mark Robinson, Matchroom)
Mark Chamberlain proved to be far too much for Gavin Gwynne. (Photo Credit: Mark Robinson, Matchroom)
Huni survives late scare against Lerena

Justis Huni (9-0, 4 KOs) took the vacant WBO Global heavyweight title, but was pushed hard before taking a decision win against Kevin Lerena (30-3, 14 KOs) over ten rounds. The action was back and forth, and Huni was rocked badly in the final frame, but managed to survive, and took the win by two scores of 96-94, and a third at 98-92.

 

A new heavyweight on the scene, local talent thrives, Roman Fury stays unbeaten and a big win for Greene

Andrii Novytskyi (10-0, 9 KOs) opened the mammoth show, and the Ukrainian heavyweight was clinical in scoring a knockout win against Juan Torres (11-6-1, 4 KOs) in round three of their meeting set for eight.

The early prelims were rounded off by Jack McGann (9-1-1, 6 KOs), and he was stunned inside a round by Louis Greene (17-4, 11 KOs) at super welterweight.

 

Roman Fury (4-0, 1 KO) made a debut in Saudi Arabia, and took a 39-37 verdict over four months rounds, defeating Martin Svarc (2-1, 1 KO).

Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0, 1 KO) continued his education, winning all six rounds at super lightweight against Christian Lopez Flores (14-36-2, 12 KOs).

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