Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA was called a “class act” after refusing to celebrate until he saw that Francis Ngannou was okay.The Brit, 34, viciously knocked Ngannou out cold during the second round of their Saudi bout last night.Anthony Joshua brutally knocked Francis Ngannou outCredit: AFPJoshua, 34, kept his celebration mutedCredit: GettyRather than go wild in the ring, Joshua kept it respectful until Ngannou was back on his feet.When the Cameroonian was eventually able to get up, AJ made a point of going over to shake his hand.He then told the MMA star: “Don’t leave boxing.”If you need anything let me know. We’ll speak another time.”READ MORE IN SPORTJoshua later posted a selfie with Ngannou, captioning it: “Respect my guy. African Giants.”In the immediate aftermath of his win, Joshua said: “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.”I told him not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he’s fought the best.”Fans on social media were pleased with Joshua’s response.Most read in BoxingOne wrote: “Top class this much respect.”While a second posted: “Class act. Well done AJ, go get ur belts back!!”AJ Celebrates huge knockout win over Francis NgannouA third commented: “Class from AJ and complete respect to Francis Ngannou.”And another added: “Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou are both class acts.”Ngannou, 37, could return to MMA for his next bout.The Cameroonian is signed to the PFL and was cageside as heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira beat Ryan Bader last month.After his win Ferreira, 34, took to the mic to call out Ngannou.He said: “I am the real champion out here. I am the record breaker and record setter.”Francis, where are you? Let’s do this. I’ve always been ready to fight against the very best in the world, it can be against Francis in the boxing ring or in the cage, wherever he wants to do it.”Ngannou last fought in MMA against Ciryl Gane in January 2022, prior to his exit from the UFC.He is on a six-fight win streak in the cage, since losing to Derrick Lewis at UFC 226.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter last night’s fight, Ngannou wrote on social media: “Sorry guys I let you all down.”Today was a bad day in the office but tomorrow will be another day. Thank you all for the love.”Joshua posted a selfie with Ngannou after the fightCredit: Instagram / anthonyjoshuaNgannou, 37, required medical treatmentCredit: Reuters More

THIS is the moment Anthony Joshua BRUTALLY knocked out Francis Ngannou.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion locked horns with the MMA superstar in a lucrative crossover clash in Saudi Arabia early on Saturday morning.Anthony Joshua locked horns with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia early on Sunday morningCredit: GETTYThe Brit knocked down the MMA man mountain in the first round with a big straight rightCredit: GETTYAnthony Joshua shut Francis Ngannou’s lights out with a hellacious right handCredit: GETTYHe shut the Cameroonian’s lights out with a huge overhand right in the secondCredit: GETTYNgannou was given oxygen in his recovery from the brutal KOCredit: SKY SPORTSJoshua was razor sharp from the get-go, knocking down the former UFC champ in the first-round with a picture-perfect straight right hand.AJ then floored the Cameroonian clubber with a thunderous right-hand and left-hook combo in the second.And he shut his lights out with a hellacious overhand right a few seconds later.Ngannou, 37, was tended to on the canvas before being helped to his feet.READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd the Professional Fighters League pounder was subsequently given oxygen after being helped back to his corner.Fight fans around the world were blown away by the KO, with one saying: “AJ showed him there are levels to boxing.”Another said: “This Joshua will beat fury badly.”And another said: “Yikes.”Most read in BoxingOne remarked: “Holy s**t.”Another chimed in: “The speed and precision beats power.”Anthony Joshua makes incredible ring walk to I Spy by Skepta for Ngannou fightIn his post-fight interview, Joshua said of the knockout: “It is what it is.”He added: “On the route to the championship you should always stay focused and i had to step away from the mission”I thought it was just a gimmick for the broadcasters.”When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought damn this guy can fight, I want a piece of that.”I wanted to welcome him and this does not take anything away from him, he can come again.“I am still learning and pushing, I don’t know if I am coming into my peak, if that was me down there you would be saying, ‘Anthony Joshua should retire’.READ MORE SUN STORIES“In five years I will be finished fighting and sitting down and all this will be a distant memory.“I am going to go back and lock myself in my cage and they can let me out when they want me to fight. I just want to fight.”Anthony Joshua walks away after separating Francis Ngannou from concsciounessCredit: GETTYNgannou was given oxygen in his recovery from the brutal KOCredit: SKY SPORTSAnthony Joshua celebrates his fourth win in his last four outingsCredit: Getty More

ANTHONY JOSHUA knocked down Francis Ngannou in the first round – and Tyson Fury was loving it.The Gypsy King had a front-row seat for the heavyweight clash in the Kingdom Arena, Saudi Arabia.Tyson Fury, circled, cheered on the knock down with enthusiasmFury had a front row seat for the actionCredit: GettyAnthony Joshua first dropped Francis Ngannou after two minutesCredit: ReutersFury laboured to a points win over the MMA champion in October but Joshua made lightwork of his opponent.Joshua knocked down Ngannou two minutes into the contest and Fury reacted with enthusiasm as he vigorously nodded his head and passionately applauded his compatriot.That was just the beginning of the excitement as Ngannou staggered back to his feet before seeing out the round.However he was soon back on the canvas as AJ landed a deadly right hand to send the Cameroonian spiralling.READ MORE IN BOXINGNgannou got back up once again but the next right hand from Joshua ended the contest as it was lights out for The Predator.The event was billed as ‘Knockout Chaos’ and it delivered on its billing, with Joshua proving his power once again.Ngannou was left sprawled out on the canvas and he required oxygen before getting back up to his feet.Joshua did not celebrate until his opponent was confirmed to be okay, and he embraced Ngannou while telling him he was an “inspiration”.Most read in BoxingJoshua landed the killer blow in the second roundCredit: GettyNgannou required oxygen as he laid out on the canvas following his KOCredit: ReutersCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL AJ said after his win: “It is what it is.“On the route to the championship you should always stay focused and I had to step away from the missionRonaldo (R9) front row at Joshua vs Ngannou“I thought it was just a gimmick for the broadcasters.“When I saw the fight with Fury I thought damn this guy can fight, I want a piece of that.“I wanted to welcome him and this does not take anything away from him, he can come again.“I am still learning and pushing, I don’t know if I am coming into my peak, if that was me down there you would be saying ‘Anthony Joshua should retire’.“In five years I will be finished fighting and sitting down and all this will be a distant memory.“I am going to go back and lock myself in my cage and they can let me out when they want me to fight. I just want to fight.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA obliterated Francis Ngannou in two sensational rounds to cement his place back in the heavyweight world title race.The same man who took Tyson Fury the 10-round distance on his boxing debut in October – and dropped the WBC Gypsy King- never laid a glove on our 34-year-old superstar.Anthony Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou in round twoCredit: GettyNgannou was down three timesCredit: ReutersNgannou was left out for the countCredit: ReutersAnthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou pose together after their fightCredit: InstagramAJ was punch-perfect, calm and measured while also being ruthless and savage, putting the former UFC star on the ground twice before delivering the knockout punch.Ngannou leaped up off the Riyadh canvas twice initially but he needed an age to recover from the final blow that almost took his swede-like head clean off.He was subsequently given oxygen after being helped to his corner.After he was finally back on his feet, Joshua told the cameras: “It is what it is.READ MORE IN BOXING“On the route to the championship you should always stay focused and I had to step away from the mission. I thought it was just a gimmick for the broadcasters.”When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought damn this guy can fight, I want a piece of that.”I wanted to welcome him and this does not take anything away from him, he can come again.“I am still learning and pushing, I don’t know if I am coming into my peak, if that was me down there you would be saying ‘Anthony Joshua should retire’.Most read in Boxing“In five years I will be finished fighting and sitting down and all this will be a distant memory.“I am going to go back and lock myself in my cage and they can let me out when they want me to fight. I just want to fight.”Before the anthems and introductions – around 3:30am local time, with the British boxing press starting to worry about catching their Saturday flights home – AJ dropped to his knees in his red corner and prayed.Then the London 2012 legend prowled around the ring while ‘Predator’ Ngannou stood dead still in his blue portion of the Riyadh arena.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJoseph Parker celebrates his points victory over Zhilei ZhangAJ got right on his textbook jab from the off, prodding at the 37-year-old’s giant torso and head.The Cameroon giant threw lead left hooks – which he told us he knew had caused AJ problems throughout his amateur and pro career.And then suddenly AJ detonated an excellent right hand that smashed Ngannou down to the canvas and almost out for the count.The boxing novice seemed finished but he showed huge heart – to match his muscles – to climb back up and survive the remaining 45 seconds, that must have felt like a lifetime.Ngannou came out aggressiveCredit: GettyBut Joshua was the quicker of the twoCredit: ReutersAnd Ngannou was floored again in the second by a violent right-hand-left-hook but bravely beat the count for a second time.But he bounced up off the canvas too quick and AJ knocked him into a different dimension with a sickening shot that folded his giant leg in half and forced the referee to wave the one-sided demolition off – without even wasting his breath on a count.For a fight that was all about pitting kings of MMA and boxing against each other, the front row was pure football royalty.Ngannou was down three times in totalCredit: ReutersThe right hand could not missCredit: ReutersNgannou was left unconsciousCredit: GettyAJ’s walkout – for a former bricklayer who says he only does the razzamatazz for the paying fans – was more Siegfried and Roy than bricks and mortar.Not bad for a man who said in the build-up: “It’s not how you walk in, it’s how you walk out. “That’s my opinion. But at the same time, I do know it’s not for me, it’s for the crowd. I only do it for the crowd. “I’ve walked in with no music before. It is a job. You want to get in there and do your job at the end of the day.”And he clocked off early – without evening doing a six minute shift – smashing the MMA man back into his rightful place.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd he can now wait patiently to see how Fury and Oleksandr Usyk – the man who snatched the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles off of him in two painful points losses – pans out on May 18.Because Joshua – on the back of this showing and the October annihilation of Otto Wallin – is now back to brilliant and brutal best.Joshua celebrates his victoryCredit: Getty More

JOSEPH PARKER bounced up off the deck TWICE to outpoint Zhilei Zhang and cement his place in the heavyweight world title race.The 32-year-old – whose wife is pregnant with their fifth child and first son – was decked in the third and eighth but resurrected to be daddy cool in the desert.Joseph Parker got the nod over Zhilei ZhangCredit: GettyParker was dropped twice during the boutCredit: ReutersBut Parker got up both times to fight to victoryCredit: GettyTwo months after he put on a masterclass to stun Deontay Wilder, he did the same to the 21st China star – apart from two blips.“It’s a great win,” he beamed. “I feel I am on the up right now.“Zhang is a tough man but my team just kept telling me to follow the plan.“Now I want to go home and celebrate and then we will come back and do the rematch.READ MORE IN BOXINGThe three judges ringside in Riyadh called it: 113-113, 114-112 and 115-111 for a majority to Parker.The opener was cagey but, in the second, southpaw Zhang clipped his shorter and lighter rival with a lead right hook and made him stumble.The third was coasting along nicely until Parker switched off and was dropped heavily.A textbook long left hand rifled out from Zhang and smacked him in the nose, robbing him of his balance.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSParker leaped back up and stared right at excellent trainer Andy Lee – who wisely told him to stay calm, breath and recover his senses, which he did enough to see out the session.That arrow-like blow sparked a torrent of blood from Parker’s nose and made his handsome face look like a bullseye to the US-based gun range regular.Ronaldo (R9) front row at Joshua vs NgannouBut Parker did seem to buzz Zhang with a one-two combination just before the bell, but the 40-year-old smirked it away.Parker needed to use his superior speed and stamina – like he did in the magnificent points win over Wilder – but it’s easier said than done against a 6ft 6in southpaw with a concrete skull.And, despite a bright start to the eighth, he was clipped around the temple and took a knee and a five count, to lose another stanza 10-8 and leave himself an uphill task to get over the great China wall.Parker did good work in rounds 10 and 11 but Zhang seemed impervious to pain and shrugged the scoring blows off.The twelve slipped by with Parker landing one early right hand and Zhang staying out of trouble in the hope two knockdowns would secure him the decision but he was disappointed.The two embrace post-fightCredit: ReutersParker celebrates with Tyson FuryCredit: GettyParker celebrates with his teamCredit: Reuters More

BOXING fans were left raging at the delaying of Anthony Joshua’s ring return against Francis Ngannou.Former two-time unified heavyweight champion AJ was set to lock horns with the ex-UFC titleholder late on Friday night in Saudi Arabia.Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou were set to throw down at 11:20pm BST timeCredit: GettyBut the co-main event between Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang hadn’t even started by the time 11pm rolled aroundCredit: ReutersThe eagerly-anticipated crossover clash was set to get underway at 11:20pm BST time (2:20am local time).But the co-main event between Zhilei Zhang and former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker hadn’t even got underway by the time 11pm rolled around.And fight fans around the world were far from happy with the delay to proceedings, with one saying: “Run time on this card is taking the p**s, hurry up!”Another said: “[The] amount of time between fights is a joke here.”READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd another said: “Birds will be chirping by the time Joshua and Ngannou are in the ring.”One remarked: “Joshua vs Ngannou won’t be doing their ring walks until at least 3 AM local time in Riyadh Saudi Arabia.””Wild. Hard for fans to keep energy and excitement when you have been there for 8+ hours and it’s that late.”Another chimed in: “The main event isn’t even gunna be on at prime time in either of the key boxing markets in UK and US.Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT”And it’s not even prime time in Saudi. What’s the point?”One fight fan asked: “Who’s in charge of this timekeeping in Saudi then?”Inside dramatic stadium transformation as arena looks unrecognisable for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou mega fightAn MMA fan tuning in to see if Ngannou can shock the world again raged: “The UFC is elite when it comes to the flow of the fight cards.”Because how am i spending more time waiting for this fight than I do working a 9-5.”Another branded the event a “f***ing shambles”.It was worth the wait however.Joshua, 34, followed up his wins over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin by destroying Ngannou in two rounds.Ngannou, meanwhile, could not put on a repeat of the impressive split-decision defeat he suffered to Tyson Fury last October as AJ utterly dominated.Anthony Joshua has won his last three fights on the bounceCredit: Getty More

FANS have claimed Nick Ball was robbed after his fight with Rey Vargas ended in a draw.The pair fought on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou in the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh.The fight was controversially called as a drawNick Ball felt he did enough to win the fightCredit: ReutersRey Vargas was dropped twiceCredit: ReutersBall was denied the featherweight world titleCredit: GettyBrit Ball took a while to get to grips with the featherweight champion as Vargas edged the early exchanges.But the Liverpudlian started to find his target and rocked the Mexican on more than one occasion.He dropped Vargas twice and viewers had Ball winning each of the last six rounds.So many were, including a fuming Frank Warren, were shocked when the judges scored the contest a draw, and the announcement was greeted with boos inside the venue.READ MORE IN BOXINGFans claimed Ball was robbed after one judge scored the bout 114-112 in Vargas’ favour.One reacted saying: “Nick Ball was robbed.”Another added: “Nick Ball was robbed there. Two legitimate knockdowns also not counted.”Former boxer Carl Frampton said: “I’ve absolutely no idea how Ball didn’t win that 🤷‍♂️”Most read in BoxingFrank Warren fumed at the resultCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL The official X account of Specsavers also got involved, cheekily tweeting Matchroom: “Can you fly us out?”The other judges scored 116-110 to Ball and 113-113, making it a draw.Manny Pacquiao sits front row for Joshua vs NgannouPromoter Warren raged after the result was announced, saying: “We won the fight. We’re not crybabies we won the fight.”Listen to the crowd, did he win it or did he not win it?! Who won the fight? He won the fight.”I just don’t understand, how was that a split? He had him down twice, he lost a few of the early rounds but he won that round.”He tweeted after the fight: “Nick Ball should be a world champion tonight and will no doubt be in the very near future.”Be proud of your effort.”A devastated Ball felt he had done enough to win the fight and was downbeat after the bout.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “I had two knockdowns and I was putting the pressure on for the whole fight.”I was the aggressor in the fight so I thought I did enough to win it.” More