Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou

Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou, billed as Knockout Chaos, was a heavyweight professional boxing match contested between 2-time former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Knockout Chaos
Date8 March 2024
VenueKingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Tale of the tape
BoxerAnthony JoshuaFrancis Ngannou
NicknameAJThe Predator
HometownWatford, Hertfordshire, UKBatié, Hauts-Plateaux, Cameroon
Pre-fight record27–3 (24 KO)0–1 (Boxing)
17–3 (12 KO) (MMA)
Age34 years, 4 months37 years, 6 months
Height6 ft 6 in (198 cm)6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight252+12 lb (115 kg)272+12 lb (124 kg)
StyleOrthodoxOrthodox
RecognitionWBC/WBO
No. 1 Ranked Heavyweight
WBA/IBF/The Ring
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight
TBRB
No. 3 Ranked Heavyweight
Former 2 time unified heavyweight champion
WBC
No. 10 Ranked Heavyweight
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion
Result
Joshua wins via 2nd-round KO

Background

Following his impressive stoppage of Otto Wallin in December 2023, Anthony Joshua was linked with IBF number one ranked Filip Hrgović or WBO "interim" titleholder Zhilei Zhang.[1] However in January 2024 it was confirmed that he would face former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who in his only previous boxing bout scored a knockdown against WBC and Lineal champion Tyson Fury before losing a somewhat controversial split decision.[2][3]

The fights

Undercard

Before the main event, Israil Madrimov stopped Magomed Kurbanov to win the vacant WBA Super Welterweight belt. This was followed by Nick Ball challenging WBC featherweight champion Rey Vargas. After twice flooring the champion (once appearing to push him before handing a left hook) the bout was ruled a draw with scores of 116–110 for Ball, 114–112 for Vargas and 113–113.[4]

Zhang vs. Parker

Knockout Chaos:Zhilei Zhang vs. Joseph Parker
Title(s) on the lineWBO interim heavyweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Zhilei Zhang Joseph Parker
Nickname"Big Bang""Lupesoliai La'auliolemalietoa"
HometownZhoukou, Henan, ChinaAuckland, Auckland Region, New Zealand
Pre-fight record26–1–1 (21 KOs)34–3 (23 KOs)
Age40 years, 10 months32 years, 1 month
Height6 ft 6 in (198 cm)6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight291+12 lb (132 kg)247+12 lb (112 kg)
StyleSouthpawOrthodox
RecognitionWBO
Interim Heavyweight Champion
TBRB
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight
The Ring
No. 3 Ranked Heavyweight
WBO
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight
WBA/WBC
No. 3 Ranked Heavyweight
The Ring/TBRB
No. 4 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Parker wins via 12th-round MD
Zhilei Zhang (left) and Joseph Parker (right)

In the chief support WBO "Interim" titleholder Zhilei Zhang faced former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (WBO: 2nd WBC / WBA: 3rd).

Parker was dropped twice in the bout, once in 3rd with a left hand and once in the 8th with a left-right hook combination. However Zhang's lack of output compared to Parker cost him, as two of the judges scored it for Parker 114–112 & 115–111, with the third having it 113–113.

Preceded by Zhilei Zhang's bouts
8 March 2024
Succeeded by
Preceded by Joseph Parker's bouts
8 March 2024
Succeeded by
TBA

Main Event

Joshua dominated the bout, knocking down Ngannou, who switched to southpaw, with a straight right hand (a punch often dubbed as the 'southpaw killer') down the pipe in the 1st round. Ngannou beat the count and reverted to orthodox but was floored again in the 2nd. He again rose to his feet, but Joshua finished the fight with another right hand that left Ngannou flat on the canvas for several minutes afterwards.[5][6]

Aftermath

Speaking in the ring after the bout promoter Eddie Hearn said "You’re looking at the number one heavyweight in the world, unquestionably. On this form, there is no man in the world that can beat him in the heavyweight division." before stating his desire for Joshua to face the winner of the planned May 18 bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.[7]

Ngannou later confirmed that he will continue boxing despite the loss. However he dropped out of the top twenty rankings of WBC due to his second straight loss.[8]

Fight card

Weight Classvs.MethodRoundTimeNotes
Main Card
Heavyweight Anthony Joshuadef. Francis NgannouKO2 (10)2:38
Heavyweight Joseph Parkerdef. Zhilei Zhang (c)MD12Note 1
Featherweight Rey Vargas (c)vs. Nick BallSD12Note 2
Super Welterweight Israil Madrimovdef. Magomed KurbanovTKO5 (10)2:20Note 3
Lightweight Mark Chamberlaindef. Gavin GwynneTKO4 (10)2:48Note 4
Heavyweight Justis Hunidef. Kevin LerenaUD10Note 5
Super Welterweight Louis Greenedef. Jack McGannTKO1 (10)1:29
Heavyweight Roman Furydef. Martin SvarcPTS4
Super Lightweight Ziyad Almaayoufdef. Christian Lopez FloresPTS6
Heavyweight Andrii Novytskyidef. Juan TorresKO3 (8)2:43

^Note 1 For WBO interim heavyweight title
^Note 2 For WBC featherweight title
^Note 3 For WBA super-welterweight title
^Note 4 For WBA Inter-continental lightweight title
^Note 5 For WBO Global heavyweight title

References

Preceded by Anthony Joshua's bouts
8 March 2024
Succeeded by
TBA
Preceded by Francis Ngannou's bouts
8 March 2024
Succeeded by
TBA