Anthony Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou within the second spherical of a stirring victory throughout Friday’s heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua, the British star, knocked down Ngannou within the first spherical, knocked him down once more within the second spherical after which delivered the knockout punch at 2:38 of the second spherical.
The knockout blow, a strong proper hand, left Ngannou out chilly. Ngannou, the previous UFC champion, was down on the canvas for greater than a minute and obtained oxygen, in accordance with the DAZN broadcast.
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou reside round-by-round
The principle occasion is underway. Observe alongside right here for round-by-round updates from USA TODAY Sports activities’ Josh Peter.
Spherical 1: Ngannou opens with a pleasant left hook. Fighters measuring the state of affairs. Ngannou seems composed. Huge proper, principally blocked by Joshua. … Joshua drops Ngannou with a strong proper! Ngannou again on his ft and beats the eight rely. Joshua seems able to pounce, however time runs out. Joshua 10, Ngannou 8.
Spherical 2: Ngannou not backing away, however seems somewhat extra tentative. Understandably. Joshua lands exhausting proper. Ngannou throw jabs however nothing connecting. Joshua drops Ngannou once more! One other large proper! Ngannou again on his ft. And down goes Ngannou once more! And he’s down for good!
FIGHT’S OVER!
Anthony Joshua wins with a second-round KO.
The place to stream Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou battle card
The battle card begins at 11 a.m. ET with the primary occasion going down roughly at 5:50 p.m. ET, in accordance with DAZN.
- Recreation day: Friday, March 8
- Recreation time: 11:00 a.m., ET
- TV channel: Protection out there solely on DAZN
- Stay stream: DAZN PPV
- Value: $39.99
Joshua vs. Ngannou ring stroll
Joseph Parker def. Zhilei Zhang
Parker acquired knocked down twice however nonetheless beat Huge Bang Zhang within the 12-round bout by majority resolution and gained the interim heavyweight title.
Zhang confirmed spectacular energy, however Parker remained the energetic fighter. In truth, in accordance with the DAZN broadcast, Zhang didn’t land a single punch within the twelfth spherical.
The judges scored the battle 113-113, 114-112, 115-111.
“Mr. Zhang is a tricky man,’’ mentioned Parker, who was knocked down within the third spherical and the seventh spherical.
Parker, a former world champion from New Zealand, improved to 35-3. China’s Zhang dropped 26-2-1. Here is a round-by-round recap:
Spherical 1: Huge Bang Zhang, 6-foot-6 and 256 kilos, towering over Parker, who’s listed as 6-4 however out of the blue seems a lot smaller. Tactical right here, as fighters gauging one another and vary. Forgettable spherical, Zhang barely extra aggressive. Zhang 10, Parker 9.
Spherical 2: Zhang unleashes a left however misses. Crowd ready on motion. And ready. Parker lands a proper to Zhang’s chest. Zhang connects, and again comes Parker with a left. Zhang 19, Parker 19.
Spherical 3: Zhang fires a pair jabs with extra authority – however nothing touchdown. Presses the motion somewhat and lands a jab. Zhang lands a left and down goes Parker! Zhang urgent the motion and firing extra lefts. Lands a barrage of punches earlier than bell rings. Zhang 29, Parker 27.
Spherical 4: Parker bleeding from the nostril because the spherical begins. Parker lands a proper, however Zhang seems in management. Wow, Parker lands a combo. Parker firing. Staggers Zhang with a proper and staying energetic. Zhang 38, Parker 37.
Spherical 5: No signal of fireworks as boxers develop measured once more. Parker lands a few physique punches. Zhang displaying no urgency, and Parker stays the aggressor whereas touchdown late. Zhang 47, Parker 47.
Spherical 6: First minute the equal to watching paint dry. However Parker lastly fires and exhausting to know what Zhang is obstructing and what’s getting by way of – however not less than he’s throwing. Is Zhang already out of fuel? Parker 57, Zhang 56.
Spherical 7: Welcome again to the battle Mr. Zhang, who throws a couple of punches. The third-round knockdown of Parker appears ages in the past. Zhang connects once more. However Parker stays the extra energetic fighter. Parker 67, Zhang 65.
Spherical 8: Parker stings Zhang with a tough proper. Then connects with a looping left. Zhang nonetheless missing urgency. Then lands a left and Parker drops to his knee! Second knockdown of the precise. Parker simply beats the eight-count and motion resumes. Zhang 77, Parker 75.
Spherical 9: Fighters simply circling. Zhang not making an attempt to capitalize on that knockdown however does lands a stiff jab that knocks Parker’s head again. Spherical up for grabs. Parker firing. And once more. Many blocked, however now strikes Zhang within the facet of the face. Zhang 86, Parker 85.
Spherical 10: Parker comes out firing. Zhang appears content material to attend for a gap reasonably than creating one. Parker stepping ahead with combos – most absorbed by Zhang’s huge arms. Parker displaying loads of vitality. Parker 95, Zhang 95.
Spherical 11: Zhang coming ahead. Sensing time is operating out on him? Parker exposing self with proper arms. Zhang can’t take benefit. Parker 105, Zhang 104.
Spherical 12: Zhang’s nook appears to know their man wants a knockout. Unsure what Zhang is ready for. It’s Parker who’s throwing a gradual weight loss plan of punches. Parker by some means managed to remain aggressive and keep away from one other Zhang knockdown punch. Parker 115, Zhang 113.
Outcomes for AJ vs. Ngannou full battle card
Click on the hyperlinks to leap to the recap for every battle.
Fundamental card
- Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou, 10 rounds, heavyweight
- Joseph Parker def. Zhilei Zhang, 12 rounds, heavyweight – Zhang’s interim WBO heavyweight title
- Nick Ball vs. Rey Vargas break up draw, 12 rounds, featherweight – Vargas’ WBC featherweight title
- Israil Madrimov def. Magomed Kurbanov, 12 rounds, tremendous welterweight – vacant WBA title
- Mark Chamberlain def. Gavin Gwynne, 12 rounds, light-weight
- Justis Huni def. Kevin Lerena, 10 rounds, heavyweight
Preliminary card
Rey Vargas vs. Nick Ball, break up draw
Rey Vargas survived two knockdowns and retained his WBC featherweight title in a break up draw with Nick Ball.
Ball, a 5-foot-2 Brit, was the aggressor by way of the 12-round bout. However Vargas, the 5-10 Mexican punished Ball together with his left jab.
The judges scored the battle 114-112 for Vargas, 116-110 for Ball and 113-113.
“I used to be the aggressor within the battle, so I believed I’d executed sufficient to win it,’’ Ball.
Vargas, who improved to 37-1, mentioned he’ll give Ball a rematch. Ball suffered his first defeat, fall to 19-1. See a round-by-round recap under.
Spherical 1: A putting distinction with the 5-foot-2 Ball and 5-10 Vargas circling on the middle of the ring. The diminutive Ball not backing down. However Vargas lands extra punches. Vargas 10, Ball 9.
Spherical 2: Ball making an attempt to get inside however operating proper into Vargas jabs. However Ball lastly connecting. Perhaps even steals the spherical? Vargas 19, Ball 19.
Spherical 3: The rough-and-tumble Ball sends Vargas flying to the canvas with…an MMA transfer? No level deduction, however uncertain the judges are impressed. Vargas does many of the scoring. Vargas 29, Ball 28.
Spherical 4: Ball dashing at Vargas, decided to negate Vargas’ attain benefit, then slips by way of the ropes. Virtually uncontrolled. Vargas delivering that jab time and again. Vargas 39, Ball 37.
Spherical 5: Ball is a bulldog and appears like he might do harm inside. However Vargas nonetheless principally keeping off his challenger with the jab. Vargas 49, Ball 46.
Spherical 6: Ball wrestles Vargas to the canvas. However Vargas sticking together with his recreation plan – capitalize on his attain benefit. You may give Ball credit score for scrappiness, however can’t give him the spherical. Vargas 59, Ball 55.
Spherical 7: Ball lands a strong proper, and now Vargas backing away. Ball lands one other proper hand and Vargas seems shaken. An energized Ball rocks Vargas with one other proper hand! Vargas 68, Ball 55.
Spherical 8: Vargas seems again in command – effectively, for the second anyway. Ball pushes Vargas to the canvas once more. Ball scores a knockdown on the finish of the spherical! Vargas 76, Ball 75.
Spherical 9: The knockdown doesn’t appear to have affected Vargas. However Ball stays relentlessly aggressive. Placing a number of stress of Vargas, who responds with an enormous proper hand. Vargas 86, Ball 84.
Spherical 10: Vargas connects with a physique shot and Ball backs up. However not for lengthy. Ball, stalking and lunging, appears to be sporting down Vargas. Vargas 95, Ball 94.
Spherical 11: Ball chasing Vargas, clearly on the lookout for a KO blow. Vargas responds with these long-armed punches. However ball nonetheless dictating the motion. One other knockdown for Ball late within the spherical! Vargas makes the eight-count. Ball 104, Vargas 103.
Spherical 12: Ball nonetheless stalking, and that aggression could earn him what he wants. Vargas simply seems spent. And Ball is the energizer bunny – er, bull. And Ball lands a strong left hand to complete issues off. Ball 114, Vargas 112.
Notable ring stroll: Manny Pacquiao
Legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao accompanied Rey Vargas of Mexico on his ring stroll. Vargas, the WBC world featherweight champion is placing his belt on the road towards Nick Ball of England in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds.
Israil Madrimov def. Magomed Kurbanov
Madrimov gained the WBA tremendous welterweight title when he stopped Kurbanov by TKO within the fifth spherical.
When the referee stopped the battle, the 25-year-old Uzbekistan boxer celebrated within the ring with a cartwheel adopted by a backflip.
“Nice feeling,’’ Madrimov mentioned whereas holding the championship belt within the ring. “…This belt coming to Uzbekistan.’’
Madrimov improved to 10-0-1. Kurbanov, a 28-year-old from Russia, suffered his first loss and fell to 25-1.
Championship belt at stake
The WBO heavyweight championship belt, which now belongs to Zhilei Zhang, will probably be on the road when China’s Zhang fights Joseph in a heavyweight bout scheduled for 12 rounds. Could the fighters look half as polished because the WBO heavyweight championship belt.
Acknowledging His Excellency
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, the main energy dealer in Saudi boxing, acquired a particular welcome between fights. Sporting signature shades, he tapped his chest with a fist in acknowledgment of cheers.
Then the Saudi Arabian nationwide anthem was performed and the boxing resumed.
Mark Chamberlain def. Gavin Gwynne
Chamberlain stopped Gwynne by TKO within the fourth spherical of the light-weight bout.
A southpaw, Chamberlain battered Gwynne from the outset and left his opponent’s proper eye badly swollen after the primary spherical. The damage worsened and the referee waved off the battle at 2:46 of the fourth spherical.
“I wished to make a press release out right here,’’ Chamberlain mentioned.
Chamberlain, a 24-year-old from England, improved to 16-0. Gwynne, a 33-year-old from Wales, dropped to 17-3.
Justis Huni def. Kevin Lerena
Huni survived a final-round barrage to beat Lerena by unanimous resolution within the 10-round heavyweight battle.
However Lerena, from South Africa, bloodied within the sixth spherical, delivered an electrifying effort within the remaining spherical. Twice he rocked Huni, who wobbled however stayed on his ft and pulled out the victory.
The judges scored the battle 96-94, 96-94 and 98-92.
The Australian Huni, 24, improved to 9-0 and Lerena, 31, fell to 30-3.
Lerena’s mom died earlier this week.
“Emotionally it was robust,’’ he mentioned. “However you possibly can’t take something away from this younger man. …
“I had him damage. I ought to have completed him. However kudos to him, he stayed up like a tricky lion, a younger lion.’’
Huni cited his coaching when requested about withstanding Lerena’s highly effective photographs within the 10th spherical.
“I’m glad my legs are sturdy sufficient to stay it out.
Tyson Fury assesses Joshua-Ngannou matchup
Fury, who acquired knocked down by Ngannou in October earlier than pulling out a victory by break up resolution, provided his ideas on the matchup between Joshua and Ngannou.
“I feel if Joshua makes use of his jab, strikes his ft, he wins comfortably,’’ Fury mentioned throughout an interview on the DAZN broadcast. “But when he will get concerned, he might get attacked like I did.
“I ought to’ve most likely used me jab and danced round him…However I attempted to leap in with large energy photographs and, bang-bang. I used to be having a whole lot of success early with the one-two, and he was taking them, to his credit score.’’
Fury mentioned he acquired grasping, resulting in Ngannou scoring a knockdown within the third spherical of his professional boxing debut.
“Along with his restricted boxing skilled, he doesn’t actually have the flexibility to,’’ Fury mentioned of Ngannou. “After he’s landed and damage somebody, he doesn’t have the flexibility to set extra photographs up on an elite degree boxer to get him out of there.
“However, hey, Anthony Joshua’s not as elusive as I’m. Even on me worst not, he’s not as elusive as I’m.”
Why is the bout going down in Saudi Arabia?
There’s little thriller as to why Joshua and Ngannou will probably be combating in Saudi Arabia as an alternative of Las Vegas.
Observe the cash.
Ngannou handed on a three-fight, $8 million contract with the UFC. Then he reportedly made not less than $10 million for his professional debut towards Tyson Fury, in accordance with Fury, and is about for one more hefty payday for his battle towards Joshua.
The Saudis are significantly enchanted with the top-ranked heavyweights.
Fox Sports activities Australia reported Joshua and Ngannou will probably be paid greater than $70 million mixed.
“It’ll quickly be the battle capital of the world,’’ veteran boxing promoter Frank Warren informed the London Occasions.
What time is it in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia?
The principle occasion could also be scheduled for early night Friday within the U.S., however will probably be the wee hours of the morning native time. Riyadh is eight hours forward of Jap Commonplace Time (GMT+3), that means it was 7 p.m. when the preliminary fights started and will probably be roughly 1:50 a.m. Saturday when the primary occasion will get underway.
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou betting traces, odds
Joshua is favored to defeat Ngannou, in accordance with the BetMGM odds.
- Win Outright: Joshua (-450); Ngannou (+320)
- Win by KO/TKO: Joshua (-190); Ngannou (+380)
- Win by factors or Determination: Joshua (+400); Ngannou (+2,200)
Roman Fury defeats Martin Svarc
Roman Fury, youthful brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, improved to 4-0 with a victory by resolution over Martin Svarc (2-2) of the Czech Republic in a four-round heavyweight bout.
Fury, 27, made his professional boxing debut in 2022.
Ziyad Almaayouf defeats Christian Lopez Flores
Christian Lopez Flores of Mexico misplaced his 16th straight bout, with the newest defeat coming to Ziyad Almaayouf in a brilliant light-weight bout.
However Flores (14-36-2) has vital work forward to make historical past. Exactly, he’ll want 35 extra consecutive losses to match the 51-fight dropping streak stitched collectively by Robin Deakin of England between 2007 and 2015. Deakin, who fought within the tremendous light-weight division, completed his profession with a document of 2-53.
Almaayouf, who was born in Saudi Arabia however lives in Los Angeles, improved to 5-0 with a victory by unanimous resolution over Christian Lopez Flores in a six-round tremendous light-weight battle.
Louis Greene def. Jack McGann
In a matchup with two Brits, Greene stopped McGann with a first-round TKO. Greene improved to 17-4 and McGann, a former MMA fighter, fell to 9-1-1.
Andrii Novytskyi def. Juan Torres
Novytskyi gained by way of third-round KO.
Drake bets large on AJ vs. Ngaannou
Many followers are wanting to make a revenue by predicting the winner of the competition, together with Canadian rapper Drake, who’s infamous for putting giant sums of cash on sports activities bets. On this explicit occasion, Drake wagered an astonishing $615,000 on newcomer Ngannou to overcome Joshua.
Learn extra about Drake’s wager.
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