The abrupt ending was as shocking as it was predictable. Francis Ngannou, a very good heavyweight champion in the opposite world of mixed martial arts, walked slowly and unsteadily towards Anthony Joshua. He had previously been knocked down twice in only his second fight as a professional boxer. Olympic gold medalist and former two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua stepped forward to close the show. He knocked the stunned recruit unconscious with a cold and brutal blow.
In Riyadh in the early hours of Saturday morning, this was fully expected but still strangely alarming. joshua I had a lot of time He could plant his feet, take aim, and unleash a wild overhand right that pinned Ngannou to the temple with such force that he began to slide into unconsciousness as he collapsed to the canvas. Within seconds he was stretched flat on his back. The referee rushed to his rescue, waving his left arm wildly in the second round to signal the end of the fight.
Relating to: Anthony Joshua drops Ngannou three times in intense two-round knockout
Boxing thrives on such graphic violence; Which means that, even for those of us who somehow still love the courage, determination and skill of its fighters, it’s ultimately a dreary and often fraught business. Joshua, who was shockingly stopped by Andy Ruiz Jr and twice dismantled by Oleksandr Usyk, understands these harsh realities. He didn’t roar by climbing the ropes or celebrate Ngannou’s death. Instead, Joshua looked away from his suffering opponent and quietly walked towards his new trainer, Ben Davison. Ben Davison tapped his glove in recognition of a brutal job well done.
They were right not to get carried away with joy. While Joshua did his job with clinical efficiency, he also showed some of the grudge that all heavyweights carry within them. Mike Tyson produced these stoic reactions better than other fighters. After defeating yet another unfortunate opponent, Tyson was trudging around the ring in a look of condescending bewilderment. A somber expression reflected his confidence that the outcome was always clear. It was creepy and scary and created the legend of Iron Mike.
But Tyson was lost in a dark maze. He eventually unraveled outside the ring and between the ropes. Heavyweight boxing student Joshua got caught up in these intriguing yet tragic stories and experienced the pain of his own defeats.
Joshua also knew that as long as he prepared hard and fought with calm intent, he would put Ngannou to flight. While it has been just over four months since Ngannou’s professional debut, he has been boxing professionally for 10 years and 10 months.
Boxing logic was skewed on that surreal night last October, when Ngannou stunned Tyson Fury by dropping him in the third round in his first fight as a boxer. Fury stood up and marred the split decision victory. Ngannou performed admirably but Fury was lethargic and lacked his usual chain of trickery.
This turned out to be a mirage when Joshua crushed Ngannou in the Saudi Arabian desert. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, resorted to hyperbole, which Joshua avoids. “You’re looking at the baddest man on the planet,” Hearn said, stealing one of Tyson’s old nicknames as he pointed at Joshua. “He is the best heavyweight in the world and I can’t wait for him to beat Tyson Fury.”
Hearn’s statement was almost as ridiculous as the idea of these crossover fights. Fury sounded level-headed in responding to Hearn’s bombastic remarks: “I’m sure Oleksandr Usyk will have something to say about that, given he’s beaten.” [Joshua] twice. Me and Usyk are fighting for the 1st and 2nd places and the undisputed world title [in May]. I had a terrible performance against Ngannou. I never said anything different. Joshua knocked him out and that’s what a boxer should do.”
Usyk holds the IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles, while Fury defends the WBC belt. Their compelling match is truly momentous and will prove boxing’s first undisputed world heavyweight champion of the 21st century. The last man to claim this exalted status in 1999 was Lennox Lewis, another great fighter who contributed to Tyson’s destruction.
It has been a week in which Joshua has brought some order and clarity to boxing, highlighting the dangerous madness of such crossover matches. These should not be allowed because permanent damage may yet occur.
Of course, since this is boxing, a painful announcement was made the day before Joshua faced Ngannou. On July 20, YouTube sensation and professional boxer Jake Paul will fight Tyson in a “blockbuster exhibition” at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The show, which will air live on Netflix, is estimated to draw a crowd of 80,000 people and bring in more than $100 million in revenue. Tyson will have just turned 58.
Hearn, who previously promoted the YouTube notes, described the news as “very sad.” “It’s a big deal, but for true fans of the sport, it’s sad to see this particular fight.”
Despite the stark realism Joshua delivered just before 3.30am on Saturday morning, the boxing madhouse continues to roar. But in the dead of night, we were reminded that only real boxers should be in such dangerous terrain.