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Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Joshua defeated Cameroonian boxer, Francis Ngannou in their heavyweight boxing clash in Riyahd, Saudi Arabia on Friday, March 8.
Joshua, 34, floored the UFC champion in the first round and early in the second.
A dazed Ngannou rose to his feet in Riyadh but was stunned by an explosive and formidable right moments later as the referee halted the contest.
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The 37-year-old appeared to be out before he even hit the canvas and required medical treatment.
“I’m going back to my cage and when they let me out, I’ll fight again,” Joshua said, as WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury watched on from ringside.
Fury made tough work of Ngannou in October when he was dropped by the debutant before edging a points win.
“When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought ‘I want some of that’. [Ngannou] is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities,” said Joshua.
“I told him not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he’s fought the best.”
Victory is two-time world champion Joshua’s fourth in 11 months, and keeps alive his ambition of recapturing a world title.
![Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua needs time to heal from the loss of his friends during an accident in which he (AJ) was also involved in. [Image source: The Irish Sun]](https://newsroundtheclock.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RAS-OFF-PLATFORM-HEARN-JOSHUA-324x160.jpg "Eddie Hearn urges patience for Anthony Joshua after personal tragic loss, believes ring return will come")
