Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou LIVE RESULT: AJ sparks Tyson Fury fight after landing brutal KO punch on MMA star
ANTHONY JOSHUA delivered a brutal right hand on Francis Ngannou to knock the Cameroonian out in Saudi.
AJ is now firmly back in the world title picture after a brutal victory over the MMA legend.
On the undercard, Joseph Parker picked up a huge win over Zhilei Zhang, Roman Fury kicked the show off with victory, and Nick Ball controversially DREW with Rey Vargas.
Joshua blasts Fury
Anthony Joshua slammed Tyson Fury in a blistering rant just hours after his obliteration of Francis Ngannou.
F**k Tyson Fury. I don't like trash-talking people, but I heard him say, 'Oh, I'm here to do commentary about these two sausages.' Or something like that.
Bro, that guy that I fought and that he fought is an ex-UFC heavyweight champion [and has] a phenomenal story and someone who has changed their life around.
[He's] Just too disrespectful. So forget anything about him right now.
Anthony JoshuaMourinho meets Newcastle chief
Jose Mourinho bumped into Newcastle chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan after attending the fight between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
Mourinho was one of the celebs on track at the Formula One’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, while Joshua was also there after his brutal second-round knockout victory over Ngannou.
While in the paddock, the Special One bumped into the Magpies’ chairman following links to the top job at St James’ Park amid current boss Edie Howe’s struggles.
The Portuguese tactician was asked about his next gig by beIN Sports, to which he replied: “I want to work. I just don’t want to make the wrong decision.
“I have to wait for the right one, the one that motivates me. But if I could work tomorrow, I would work tomorrow.”
Unemployed Jose Mourinho reveals he would return to management 'tomorrow' as he is linked with Premier League returnJoshua calls out reporter
Anthony Joshua jokingly took aim at an MMA reporter after his knockout of Francis Ngannou.
MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn began asking him a question, AJ asked: "Did you interview Ngannou? I recognise your voice. Was it like a one-on-one interview?
Yeah, I recognise your voice. You thought he was going to beat me, innit? I could tell by the question, I could tell by the questions you were asking."
After Eddie Hearn revealed to Joshua the outlet Bohn worked for, Joshua broke into laughter and said: "Is he MMA Junkie? See what I'm saying? I know. His outlet is MMA Junkie, I can recognise that voice.
"I was thinking, 'Whoever this guy is, I know I'm gonna see him one day.' I tell people, 'I watch everything. I study everything.'"
Joshua's next potential fights
SunSport look into the five fighters in contention to be Anthony Joshua's next opponent.
- Filip Hrgovic
- Joseph Parker
- Dillian Whyte
- Daniel Dubois
- Deontay Wilder
Anthony Joshua's track day
Anthony Joshua switched the boxing ring for the Formula One paddock after his big win against Francis Ngannou, whom he knocked out in the second round on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua dressed casually in a white top, black jacket and stylish sunglasses.
On his arrival at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the Watford star stopped for a chat with Manchester United legend Patrice Evra.
It is the second time he has interacted with an ex-United star this weekend after leaning out the ring to shake hands with their former manager Jose Mourinho after beating Ngannou.
AJ is a big F1 fan and even owns a share in the team Alpine.
Let's be Franc
Boxing fans are convinced Francis Ngannou's "appalling" decision to switch to southpaw is what led to his humiliating loss to Anthony Joshua.
Joshua, 34, battered Ngannou, 37, in just two rounds with a devastating right hand that knocked the UFC legend's lights out in Saudi Arabia.
Fans were left shocked by the Cameroonian superstar's poor performance against AJ after taking undefeated megastar Tyson Fury to the limit last year.
However, some were not that stunned as they are convinced the UFC great didn't do his homework ahead of his blockbuster clash against the British bruiser.
Fans insist Ngannou's decision to switch his fighting stance just after being knocked down by Joshua in the second round was what led to his undoing.
They were also left baffled with that tactical tweak as the Watford star only recently locked horns twice with arguably the best southpaw in the world in Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ ribs MMA reporter
Anthony Joshua jokingly called out MMA reporter Mike Bohn in the post-fight press conference for siding with Francis Ngannou in the fight.
Shortly after Mike Bohn began asking him a question, AJ asked: "Did you interview Ngannou?
"I recognise your voice. Was it like a one-on-one interview?
"Yeah, I recognise your voice. You thought he was going to beat me, innit?
"I could tell by the question, I could tell by the questions you were asking."
After Eddie Hean revealed to Joshua the outlet Bohn worked for, Joshua broke into laughter and said: "Is he MMA Junkie?
"See what I'm saying? I know. His outlet is MMA Junkie, I can recognise that voice.
"I was thinking, 'Whoever this guy is, I know I'm gonna see him one day.' I tell people, 'I watch everything. I study everything.'"
Joshua jokingly called out MMA reporter Mike Bohn in the post-fight press conferenceCredit: YOUTUBE@MATCHROOMBOXING Joshua's next fight
ANTHONY JOSHUA is well and truly back in the heavyweight title picture, writes SunSport's Chisanga Malata.
The Watford warrior continued his career resurgence early on Sunday morning with a ferocious finish of Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
Boxing fans want to see AJ face Brit rival Tyson Fury next but The Gypsy King has back-to-back showdowns with Oleksandr Usyk to get through first.
Given his activity of late, AJ will likely want to stay busy.
So SunSport has rounded up the five contenders to face AJ should he chose to fight again this year.
Ngannou defiant
Francis Ngannou insists his boxing days aren't behind - despite his brutal KO loss to Anthony Joshua.
He said: "You can be sure I'm not done here. It wasn't my day.
"He was way better than me today.
"It sucks but it's the game. We all know that."
Ngannou reflects
Francis Ngannou issued a heartfelt apology to his fans and followers on social media in the immediate aftermath of his loss to Anthony Joshua.
He said: "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 opens up on mental struggles
Anthony Joshua has admitted he questioned himself following his back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
"It's not that satisfying, it is what it is," Joshua said after KO'ing Francis Ngannou. "My life doesn't really change.
"You realise how much your life changes when you lose, when you win it's onto the next.
"I questioned myself. It's a tough game, the heavyweight division.
"We got the job done, people can question me, I do my best every time, but I'm not even buzzing about the win, onto the next, let's go.
"With Ngannou tonight, if I was the old AJ, it would have been strength versus strength, a fight that would have taken years out of my career, but because of my progression, the sacrifice I've made, I've been able to go in there and take little punishment.
"You have to be a student of the game to put on performances like that. It doesn't do much for my career."
Credit: Getty Fury's backstage barney
Tyson Fury was seemingly involved in a heated backstage shouting match with someone as he made his way to leave the Kingdom Arena.
The WBC heavyweight champion was filmed backstage bemoaning the fact someone he'd had an interaction with had disappeared.
He said: "Has f****d off, the useless c**t."
It's unknown who the furious Fury was talking about in the video, which has spread like wildfire on social media.
Fury's admission
Tyson Fury admits he turned in a "s**t" performance against Francis Ngannou after seeing Anthony Joshua decimate the former UFC heavyweight champion.
He said: "I'm sure Oleksandr Usyk will have something to say something about that.
"I had a s*** performance against Ngannou. AJ did absolutely fantastic and lit him up with a right hand.
"If he fights me after I beat Usyk twice then it will be a different game."
Credit: Reuters AJ's charity donation
Anthony Joshua revealed to Francis Ngannou immediately after their Riyadh rumble that he wants to make a donation to his charity.
He said: "You're an inspiration. Don't leave boxing.
"If you need anything, you let me know. I want to donate to his foundation."
Special embrace
Anthony Joshua was congratulated by Jose Mourinho in the immediate aftermath of his KO win over Francis Ngannou.
As he embraced 'The Special One', he said: "My guy."
He was also congratulated by footie legend Ronaldo Nazario.
Ngannou sees the funny side
Francis Ngannou joked with the media this morning that he didn't even feel the vicious right hand from AJ that resulted in his first ever KO loss.
He said: "In fact, I didn't feel the punch.
"I think that's what the knockout is about. I don't feel any pain.
"That's how I know I was knocked out."
Credit: Reuters Joshua's X-rated Fury rant
Anthony Joshua has slammed Tyson Fury for his pre-fight comments about himself and Francis Ngannou.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champ told iFL TV:" F**k Tyson Fury.
"I don't like trash-talking people, but I heard him say, 'Oh, I'm here to do commentary about this two sausages.'
"Or something like that.
"Bro, that guy that I fought and that he fought is an ex-UFC heavyweight champion [and has] a phenomenal story and someone who has changed their life around.
"[He's] just too disrespectful. So forget anything about him right now."
Credit: Reuters AJ a 'class act'
Boxing fans were quick to praise Anthony Joshua for delaying his celebrations until after he saw Francis Ngannou get back to his feet after being brutally put down in the second round of the Saudi showdown.
One wrote on x: "Top class this much respect."
A second posted: "Class act. Well done AJ, go get ur belts back!!"
A third commented: "Class from AJ and complete respect to Francis Ngannou."
And another added: "Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou are both class acts."
'Best heavyweight'
Eddie Hearn insists Anthony Joshua's demolition of Francis Ngannou proves he's the best heavyweight on the planet.
The Matchroom Boxing chief said: "I'm so proud of him because there was a huge amount of pressure.
"If we won this fight then he would fight the winner of Fury vs Usyk.
"You're looking at the number one heavyweight in the world.
"Tyson Fury please beat Usyk because you will get the biggest fight in the history of the sport.
"As a fighter, he's an inspiration to young people.
"What I said would happen, happened. He destroyed Francis Ngannou.
"He's a beast and I cannot wait for him to beat Tyson Fury."
Credit: REUTERS AJ reveals private Ngannou conversation
Anthony Joshua has revealed what he told Francis Ngannou moments after knocking him out cold.
He said in the post-fight press conference: "I said, 'Don't let this discourage you.'
"'Don't let this success get to your head. And you should never failures get to your heart.'
"I told him he could be an asset to boxing - he's an asset to the fight game. Don't get discouraged and I respect you regardless."
Credit: GETTT Joshua gives Ngannou boxing verdict
Anthony Joshua has urged Francis Ngannou NOT to leave boxing, despite his brutal defeat last night.
Victorious AJ, 34, 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 spot Tyson Fury's reaction
Viewers spotted Tyson Fury's "terrified" reaction immediately after Anthony Joshua's explosive knockout of Francis Ngannou.
The Gypsy King, 35, was in the front row for the heavyweight clash in Saudi Arabia.
AJ's promoter Eddie Hearn leapt out of his seat in excitement when his man delivered the crushing right hand to his Cameroonian opponent.
Frank Warren in the seat next to look perplexed while Paris Fury appeared visibly horrified before she started clapping.
But her husband Tyson sat completely still for a few moments, taking in the heavy shot.
And fans were convinced the WBC heavyweight champ is worried about the prospect of a possible showdown with Joshua after witnessing his raw power.
Paris Fury reacts to KO
Paris Fury looked stunned as Francis Ngannou was brutally knocked out by Anthony Joshua.
The Cameroonian, 37, had already been sent to the canvas twice before being viciously KO’d in the second round.
Heavyweight rival Tyson Fury was watching the action from ringside, sat alongside wife Paris.
After initially clapping, Paris, 34, raised her hand to the her mouth in shock at the brutal nature of the knockout.
Sat next to her, the Gypsy King smiled as he applauded the finish.
Having processed her initial shock, Paris then resumed her applause.
Credit: DAZN Cristiano Ronaldo no show
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was not in attendance last night despite having a front-row seat reserved for him.
The 39-year-old now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia and was expected to be in attendance as Anthony Joshua KO'd Francis Ngannou.
A seat was emblazoned with "CR7" especially for Ronaldo.
But he did not show up to the event.
Joshua praised for classy gesture
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.
Rather 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."
