Ex-world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua defeated former MMA champion Francis Nganna by knockout. The professional boxing match took place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

Anthony Joshua, knockout win against Francis Ngannou

The 34-year-old Briton sent the 37-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion from Cameroon to the floor in the first round with a straight kick to the chin.

Then in the second half sent him to the floor twice. The Cameroonian remained on the ground before the start of the third period, and the referee decided to stop the match.

Joshua was declared the winner by knockout. Ngannou was knocked unconscious and received medical attention before getting to his feet in a daze.

“I’m going back in my cage and when they let me out, I’m going to fight again,” Joshua said, with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury watching from ringside.

Fury fought Ngannou in October and won on points.

“When I saw the Tyson Fury fight, I thought, ‘I want some of that, too.’ Ngannou is a great champion and this (defeat) does nothing to diminish his abilities,” Joshua said.

“I told him not to come out of the hole. He’s got two fights and he’s fought the best,” added Joshua.

The victory is the fourth in 11 months for Joshua, a two-time world champion, and supports his ambitions to regain the title.

Eddie Hearn has demanded that Joshua, who he has promoted throughout his professional heavyweight career, face the winner of Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

The two will fight for the undisputed world heavyweight title in May, with a rematch later this year.

“In five years I won’t be fighting,” added Joshua. “Eddie Hearn and my team will shape my future.”

The match was attended by more than 16,000 spectators, including the Filipino Manny Pacquiao, as well as some of the biggest names in football such as Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho, according to News.ro.

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