It was supposed to be a competitive fight. Or at least, that’s what the marketing told us.
When Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou was announced for March 8, 2024, the combat sports world was still reeling from Ngannou’s near-miracle against Tyson Fury. The former UFC champion had dropped the "Gypsy King" months earlier, losing only by a razor-thin split decision. Fans started believing the hype. Maybe an MMA heavyweight really could just walk into a boxing ring and flatten the elite?
Joshua didn't get the memo. Or maybe he got it and tore it up.
In just under six minutes at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, AJ didn't just win; he dismantled the crossover experiment with a clinical, almost frightening precision. It wasn't just a knockout. It was a statement that reminded everyone there are levels to this game.
Why Everyone Got Ngannou Wrong
Most people looked at Ngannou’s performance against Fury and assumed he was a natural. He looked composed. He was strong. He had that "touch of death" in his hands.
But boxing is about more than just chin and power.
AJ’s trainer, Ben Davison, clearly spotted something the rest of us missed. While Fury played with his food and got caught, Joshua treated Ngannou like a dangerous novice who needed to be removed immediately. There was no dancing. No feeling-out process that lasted too long.
In the first round, Ngannou tried to switch to a southpaw stance. It's a common trick in MMA to confuse opponents, but in high-level boxing, it’s often an invitation for a straight right hand. Joshua accepted the invitation. He landed a clean, piston-like right that sent Ngannou to the canvas.
The look on Francis’s face said it all. He wasn't in there with a distracted Fury anymore. He was in there with a sharp, disciplined Olympic gold medalist.
The Knockout That Silenced the Arena
The second round was essentially a formality. You could see the confidence draining out of the Cameroonian.
Joshua stayed patient. He used feints—specifically a jab feint—to make Ngannou parry a punch that wasn't coming. When Ngannou’s hand dropped to block the "ghost" jab, AJ unleashed a monstrous overhand right.
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Down again.
Ngannou beat the count, but he was on "Bambi legs." His internal GPS was scrambled. As soon as the referee let them continue, Joshua stepped in and landed the final blow. It was a terrifying shot. Ngannou went down flat, his body stiffening as he hit the floor. The referee, Richard Gonzalez, didn't even bother to count.
The Cold Hard Stats
- Total Punches Landed: Joshua landed 12 of 31 (29%). Ngannou landed 8 of 42 (19%).
- Power Punches: Joshua was surgically efficient, landing 55% of his power shots.
- Duration: The fight ended at 2:38 of Round 2.
Honestly, the silence in the arena was more telling than the cheers. It was a reality check for the "crossover" era of fighting.
What This Meant for the Heavyweight Division
Before this fight, people were questioning if Joshua was "washed." He had lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk and looked hesitant in fights against Jermaine Franklin. This win changed the narrative overnight.
It basically re-established AJ as the ultimate "gatekeeper" to the elite title tier—if you aren't at the absolute top of your game, Anthony Joshua will destroy you.
For Ngannou, it was a massive payday—reportedly around $20 million—but a massive blow to his boxing aspirations. Since then, he's returned to the PFL and MMA, where his physical gifts are better suited to the multi-dimensional nature of the cage. He later admitted in interviews, including one with Piers Morgan, that his timing felt "off" and he struggled with the 3:00 AM start time in Saudi Arabia. Whether that's an excuse or reality, the result remains etched in the history books.
The Aftermath: Where Are They Now?
Since that night in Riyadh, the heavyweight landscape has shifted again. Joshua went on to face Daniel Dubois in September 2024, a fight that didn't go his way, proving that while he's a master against novices, the current crop of active boxers is a different beast entirely.
Meanwhile, Ngannou’s foray into boxing is largely viewed as a "what if" that started with a bang and ended with a thud.
Actionable Insights for Boxing Fans
- Watch the Feet: If you re-watch the fight, look at how Joshua's lead foot always stays outside Ngannou's. It's a technical masterclass in positioning.
- Don't Buy the Hype: Crossover fights are fun, but the gap between a world-class specialist and a world-class generalist is massive.
- Track the Rematches: Keep an eye on the heavyweight rankings. Joshua is still chasing the winner of the Fury-Usyk saga, and this win was the catalyst that kept him in that conversation.
The Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou fight wasn't the long war we were promised. It was a short, sharp lesson in the "Sweet Science." If you're looking to understand why boxing remains the pinnacle of striking, this is the tape you study.
To stay ahead of the next big heavyweight clash, keep a close watch on the official Riyadh Season schedules for 2026. The landscape is moving fast, and as AJ showed, one right hand can change everything in a heartbeat.