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      Andy Ruiz Jr absorbed the exact same brutal punch from Anthony Joshua that KO’d Francis Ngannou

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      BOXING fans claimed Andy Ruiz Jr absorbed the exact same brutal punch from Anthony Joshua that knocked out Francis Ngannou. Joshua finished Ngannou after three knockdowns and one final ruthless right hand. Francis Ngannou was knocked out by an Anthony Joshua right handCredit: GettyThe same right hand was absorbed by Andy Ruiz JrCredit: Sky Sports via X formerly TwitterBut users on social media pointed out that it was similar to the same shot that AJ landed on Ruiz after flooring him in their 2019 bout. Ruiz took the shot and moments later dropped Joshua himself before setting up a famous upset victory. And fans were quick to point out the similarities in the two incidents.One said: “Same punch that killed Francis Ngannou for a couple mins Andy Ruiz ate like it was a hamburger & caught Joshua w/ his own shot. Boxers have better chins too. Boxing rules the UFC.”READ MORE IN BOXINGAnother added: “Ruiz got an iron chin.”At the time of Joshua’s KO blow to Ngannou, the ex-UFC champion had already been down twice before. Whereas Ruiz – who later lost the rematch to Joshua – had been floored with a left hook. So fans were quick to defend Ngannou as one argued: “This difference is in perception and reaction time. Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “Ruiz probably knew it was coming even when he got hit. Ngannou never saw it.”Another hit back: “Absolute rubbish. One was a follow up on a temple shot knockdown that almost finished the fight. Paris Fury looks horrified as Francis Ngannou collapses to floor after he’s brutally knocked out by Anthony Joshua”He was badly hurt before he ate this shot.”Ngannou was KO’d for the first time in his MMA and boxing career but joked he could not even feel the finishing shot. He said: “That was a clean one.“In fact, I didn’t feel the punch. That’s what the knockout is about. I don’t feel any pain.”That’s how I know I was knocked out. It was quite special because it stopped me. It did what Tyson Fury couldn’t do.”Joshua knocked out Ngannou in round twoCredit: Getty More

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      Conor McGregor posts three-word reaction to Anthony Joshua’s savage KO of ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou

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      CONOR McGREGOR posted a three-word reaction to Anthony Joshua’s savage knockout of Francis Ngannou.AJ finished the ex-UFC champion in two rounds following three knockdowns and one final ruthless right hand.Conor McGregor had a three-word reaction to Anthony Joshua’s KO of Francis NgannouCredit: GettyJoshua stopped Ngannou in two roundsCredit: GettyIt sent shockwaves around the boxing and MMA world with McGregor left in awe as he commented on Joshua’s Instagram post. He wrote: “Nah man. Madness.”McGregor, 35, was ringside in October when Ngannou, 37, made his boxing debut against Tyson Fury. And he astonishingly dropped Fury, 35, only to lose a controversial split-decision. READ MORE IN BOXINGBut Joshua, 34, made no mistake in restoring order in the ring with the savage KO, leaving Ngannou’s future in boxing up in the air. Although the heavyweight star insisted his business in boxing is not over yet. Ngannou said: “You can be sure I’m not done here. It was not my day. He was way better than me. “It sucks, but it’s the game. We all know that.”Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Joshua embraced with Ngannou moments after the stunning KO and even urged him to remain in boxing.He said: “You’re an inspiration. ‘You’ll beat a lot of people. Don’t leave boxing. Don’t leave boxing.”Joshua, 34, then added: “If you need anything, let me know, but we’ll speak another time.”Paris Fury looks horrified as Francis Ngannou collapses to floor after he’s brutally knocked out by Anthony Joshua More

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      Tyson Fury ridiculed by UFC chief Dana White after Anthony Joshua’s brutal KO win over Francis Ngannou

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      UFC president Dana White brutally aimed a dig at Tyson Fury following Anthony Joshua’s knockout of Francis Ngannou. AJ finished the ex-UFC champion in two rounds following three knockdowns and one final ruthless right hand. Dana White aimed a dig at Tyson Fury after Anthony Joshua’s KO of Francis NgannouCredit: GettyFury watched on as AJ defeated NgannouCredit: Sky SportsNgannou, 37, came into only his second boxing bout having floored Fury, 35, on his debut only to lose a controversial decision. But White – who saw the Cameroonian walk out on the UFC to pursue boxing – was not surprised to see order restored in the ring. He said: “If Fury trained for the fight and didn’t show up looking like he ate Tyson Fury, that’s probably the way that fight would’ve ended too. “Listen, you know how I feel about the crossovers in boxing – that’s how they end, just like that.”READ MORE IN BOXINGNgannou signed for UFC rivals the Professional Fighters League, who permitted his switch to boxing. It leaves his MMA future up in the air but the heavyweight star insisted his business in the ring is not over yet. Ngannou said: “You can be sure I’m not done here. It was not my day.“He was way better than me. It sucks, but it’s the game. We all know that.”Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Joshua embraced with Ngannou moments after the stunning KO and even urged him to remain in boxing. He said: “You’re an inspiration. ‘You’ll beat a lot of people. Don’t leave boxing. Don’t leave boxing.” Joshua, 34, then added: “If you need anything, let me know, but we’ll speak another time.”Ngannou dropped Fury on his boxing debutCredit: GETTYJoshua brutally knocked out NgannouCredit: ReutersJoshua blasts ‘f*** Tyson Fury’ after overhearing rival’s commentary on DAZN for Francis Ngannou More

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      UFC icon Nate Diaz calls out Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder but fans remind him he lost to Jake Paul

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      NATE DIAZ called out heavyweight boxing’s finest – before being reminded of his defeat to Jake Paul. Diaz last year put his MMA career on hold to cross over to the ring to face YouTuber-turned boxer Paul. Nate Diaz lost his boxing debut to Jake PaulCredit: GettyAnd he was beaten over ten rounds, even getting floored in the process. But the humbling loss hasn’t deterred Diaz after he took to social media to call out the heavyweight division’s top stars. He posted: “Anthony Joshua Deontay wilder Tyson fury. I’ll whoop all your asses Just so u know.” But fans were quick to hit back as one replied: “Love ya Nate… but you lost to Jake Paul…”READ MORE IN BOXINGAnother said: “You lost to Jake Paul.”One quipped: “You couldn’t beat Jake Paul.”Diaz, 38, walked out on the UFC after his last fight in Tony Ferguson, 40, in September 2022. But he did so with his trilogy series with Conor McGregor, 35, yet to be completed as they sit tied at one apiece after two bouts. Most read in BoxingCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL McGregor called to return on June 29 against Michael Chandler, 37, before settling the score with Diaz in September. He posted on Instagram: “I wish for this on Mexican Independence Day in the sphere. Chandler June. Diaz September. I have let this be known.”Conor McGregor ‘doing everything but fighting’ says fans as MMA legend enjoys boozy night out to watch UFC 299But UFC president Dana White brutally responded:  “Yeah, I’m not doing that fight.” More

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      Inside dramatic stadium transformation for Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou mega fight as arena looks unrecognisable

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      THE STAGE is set for Anthony Joshua’s blockbuster bout with Francis Ngannou – after the arena went through a dramatic transformation. Joshua faces Ngannou at the Kingdom Arena, where Neymar’s Al Hilal play their football. The Al Hilal stadium turning into the boxing venueOrganisers got to work for the makeoverThe stage is set for the fightThe pitch turned into a ring as organisers got to work for a sensational shakeup. Saudi’s boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh released amazing footage of the makeover with the final results a thing of beauty.The footage shows the turf being covered up and thousands of seats being placed where the pitch would normally be.A ring is then installed in the middle and a stage set – presumably for the ring walks.READ MORE IN BOXINGJoshua returns to Saudi for his third bout in the desert while Ngannou takes to the boxing ring for only the second time. The MMA superstar floored Tyson Fury on his debut last year only to lose a controversial split-decision.But he is back under Queensberry rules and weighed in a whopping 19st 6lb compared to Joshua at 18 stone. Ngannou, 37, said: “I’ve learnt a little bit from the last fight, the last camp, and leading up to this one.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”So, I get a little bit of experience, but the mindset is still the same.”This is just my second boxing match, even though I’m taking on the two best guys in the world in boxing, it’s still my second boxing match.”I’m going out there to prove you can be an underdog and take it.”Joshua, 34, meanwhile quipped: “I’ll deliver. I’m the postman.” Francis Ngannou’s anticipated MMA return date REVEALED ahead of massive Anthony Joshua boxing fight More

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      Tyson Fury claims Francis Ngannou ‘didn’t fight Tyson Fury’ in bizarre rant as he says he wanted to ‘cancel second show’

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      TYSON FURY claimed he did not start a brawl with Francis Ngannou as he feared KOing another Saudi Arabia super-fight. Fury was forced to pull out of his February 17 undisputed title decider with Oleksandr Usyk after suffering a cut in sparring. Tyson Fury opened up on his row with Francis NgannouCredit: BoxNationIt was only in October that he was floored by Ngannou and deemed fortunate to walk away with a split-decision victory.So there is no love lost between the rivals when they reunited ahead of Ngannou’s fight with Anthony Joshua. The MMA superstar and Fury even got into a verbal altercation at Saudi boxing broker Turki Alalshikh’s house. And the Gypsy King insisted only the threat of cancelling another blockbuster bout stopped him from throwing hands at Ngannou. READ MORE IN BOXINGFury told BoxNation: “Let me tell you something straight from the heart, if I never had as much respect as I do for Turki Alalshikh, I would have got up and punched his c*** right in for him. “But I didn’t want to cancel another show for Turki. I’ve already cancelled one with a cut eye. “If I had got up and set about him at the press conference, there would have been another show cancelled.” Fury, 35, escaped Riyadh last year with his reputation and unbeaten record just about intact after Ngannou, 37, took him the distance. Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTAnd he offered a bizarre analogy when explaining why he cannot truly rate Ngannou’s boxing skills.Fury said: “I can’t tell you how good or bad Ngannou is because he never fought Tyson Fury on the night and I can’t honestly tell you how good or bad he is. Tyson Fury leaks ‘ungrateful f—er’ Francis Ngannou’s fight purse that was SIX times his whole UFC career earnings-“The one thing I can tell you is that he’s a tough old boy because he took some thunderous punches about the head. “But apart from that, the one thing I can tell you though is that he doesn’t have much boxing ability because he can’t follow up on a punch. “Hence when he hit me with a shot to the side of the head and dropped me he couldn’t land another worthwhile punch.” More

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      Fans cry ‘this sport is finished’ after Love Island star Tommy Fury calls out UFC legend Conor McGregor for boxing fight

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      TOMMY FURY has called out Conor McGregor off the back of Jake Paul’s fight with Mike Tyson. Paul and Tyson are set to collide in a controversial clash on July 20 at the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Texas. Tommy Fury called out Conor McGregorCredit: X/@DAZNBoxingMcGregor is the latest UFC star called out by a boxerCredit: GettyIt leaves Fury – who beat the YouTuber-turned boxer last year – denied of a big-money rematch. So he instead told DAZN: “I’m looking to get this injury out the way nice and recovered and I have just seen that Jake Paul will face Mike Tyson next.”So how about me and McGregor next, how’s that? I need a comeback fight and I’d like for my return. So McGregor, get in touch.”But fans were not impressed as one said: “The “sport” is a joke.” READ MORE IN BOXINGAnother added: “This sport is finished.” Fury, 24, underwent hand surgery after beating Paul’s arch rival KSI, 30, via disputed decision in October.And he called to rematch Paul, 27, upon his return next year. But he will be made to wait after the American announced his shock showdown with 57-year-old heavyweight Tyson. Most read in BoxingCredit: The SunCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIron Mike officially retired in 2005 but did come back for an eight-round exhibition against Roy Jones Jr four years ago which ended in a draw.His bout with Paul is not yet confirmed to be an exhibition or a professionally sanctioned fight – but Fury slammed is nonetheless. Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson confirmed with ‘biggest fight of the 21st century’ to be shown live on Netflix He told Boxing King Media: “The guy is nearly 60 and I mean, he’s probably the biggest name in boxing that there was but the man is also 60.”I don’t know what kind of conditioning he’s in, I know he looks great but you never really know. “A 26-year-old against a 60-year-old, it doesn’t float my boat. Jake Paul is doing what Jake Paul’s doing, i’m in the recovery process and that’s it.” More

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      Francis Ngannou’s anticipated MMA return date REVEALED ahead of massive Anthony Joshua boxing fight

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU is set to return to the cage THIS YEAR – depending on how his mega-money business in the boxing ring plays out. The ex-UFC champion last year put his cage career on hold to cross over to the boxing ring. Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou ahead of their boxing boutCredit: GettyBut he did so after signing for UFC’s rivals the Professional Fighters League, who gave Ngannou the green light to box. The Cameroonian takes on Anthony Joshua tomorrow night in Saudi Arabia just five months after making his ring debut against Tyson Fury. And while training in Riyadh, he watched from ringside as Renan Ferreira knocked out Ryan Bader. It earned Ferreira the right to welcome back Ngannou to the cage with the PFL once he is done with British superstar AJ. PFL founder Donn Davis told SunSport: “Francis is our partner, we always work with his schedule. “He wants to become the Bo Jackson of combat sports; champion in boxing, champion in MMA, so we’ll work with his schedule. “It could go earlier or it could go later but he will face “La Problema” – who destroyed Bader who is a savvy Bellator veteran. “Destroyed him in 21 seconds and he was really out in eight. That’s the next fight for Francis whether it’s in the summer or whether it’s the end of the year.Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”We’ll work with that boxing schedule with whatever happens 48 hours from now when he probably knocks out Joshua.” Ngannou, 37, dropped Fury, 35, on his boxing debut but suffered a controversial split-decision loss. Did you spot the subtle change Francis Ngannou made to taunt Anthony Joshua during intense face-off?Fury now faces Oleksandr Usyk, 37, for the undisputed crown on May 18 having pulled out of their initial February 17 date with a cut. The winner between Joshua, 34, and Ngannou, 37, have been promised a shot at the unified champ. But whatever the results in the ring, Ngannou WILL be back in the cage within the next year. Davis added: “If not this year, two months after. We’ll call it Feburary 2025. “In the next 12 months, 100 per cent Francis is a PFL cage fighting Ferreira.”PFL owner Donn Davis with Francis Ngannou More