The event, delayed by over an hour, commenced at 03:20 local time with Michael Buffer heralding Ngannou's entrance. Adorned in a robe of pink and white with golden fringes, Ngannou's lone march to the ring was underscored by Drake's 'God's Plan'.
Joshua, marked by a scowl of determination, marched confidently to the ring and offered a prayer in his corner before the bout. The crowd's mixed chorus of boos and cheers did little to sway Joshua's focus, which was laser-locked on Ngannou.
The opening was almost flawless for Joshua. Ngannou's lead left hand narrowly missed its mark, but Joshua remained serene and strategic. With a precise extension of his backhand, Joshua sent Ngannou to the mat, achieving in mere minutes what Fury had not in their entire bout.
Ngannou, shaken, managed to rise at the eight-count and endured the round.
In recent years, Joshua has refined his craft, becoming a more cerebral combatant. He patiently doubled up on his jab and sought the opportune moment. A subsequent right sent Ngannou reeling once more. He rose just in time, but the end seemed inevitable. The coup de grâce delivered by Joshua is destined to be immortalized in the annals of his knockout triumphs.
At 34, Anthony Joshua demonstrated his formidable boxing prowess by knocking down the UFC titleholder in both the opening and subsequent rounds. In the Saudi capital, a bewildered Ngannou managed to stand but was quickly overwhelmed by a potent and decisive right hook, prompting the referee to end the bout.
Ngannou, 37, seemed unconscious even before collapsing and subsequently received medical attention.
Post-fight, Joshua remarked,
I'll return to my domain, and I'll be ready to battle once more,
while WBC heavyweight king Tyson Fury observed from the audience. Fury had a challenging encounter with Ngannou back in October, nearly losing to the newcomer before securing a narrow victory on points.
Joshua, reflecting on Fury's bout, expressed his desire to engage in such a contest, praising Ngannou's prowess and affirming that this defeat does not diminish his abilities. Joshua advised Ngannou to persist in boxing, highlighting that he has already faced top-tier opponents in just two matches. This triumph marks Joshua's fourth in the past 11 months, sustaining his drive to regain a world championship title.
The event unfolded with Joshua halting Ngannou's advance, while Ball's quest for a world title concluded in a contentious stalemate. Promoter Eddie Hearn has advocated for Joshua, whom he has managed since his professional inception, to challenge the victor of the Fury-Usyk bout. The two are slated to compete for the undisputed heavyweight world championship in May, with a subsequent rematch planned for later in the year.
Joshua contemplates his future, stating,
In five years, I'll hang up my gloves. The path ahead will be charted by Eddie Hearn and my team.
