In a clash of titans that shook Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, Anthony Joshua unleashed a spectacle that left Francis Ngannou floundering like a bewildered fish. The fervor of the main event boxing match electrified the audience as Joshua's fists danced with precision, knocking Ngannou to the canvas twice before delivering a thunderous knockout blow in Round 2.
Ngannou, famed for his unyielding prowess with 22 unbroken victories across mixed martial arts, boxing, and kickboxing, had previously dazzled the world by taking WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury to a split decision. His meteoric rise fueled the fervent desire to witness him square off against the heavyweight elites of boxing.
Yet, against the seasoned Joshua, Ngannou found himself adrift in unfamiliar waters. "It is what it is," remarked Joshua during the post-fight interview, acknowledging Ngannou's potential while urging him to persist in boxing. "He can come again...if he stays dedicated, but it's up to him."
However, amidst the thunderous applause and acclaim, whispers of skepticism permeated the air. Some spectators dared to suggest that Joshua's knockout victory over Ngannou might have been orchestrated. The bout's brevity, spanning a mere two rounds, left Ngannou grounded thrice, his consciousness surrendering to the might of Joshua's blows.
Critics scrutinized the manner in which Ngannou's leg buckled beneath him, questioning the authenticity of his downfall. Yet, amidst the dissenting murmurs, a chorus of voices dismissed claims of foul play, affirming Joshua's undeniable prowess in the ring.
Beyond the spectacle of the fight, curiosity lingered over the lucrative rewards awaiting both pugilists. Although official figures remained undisclosed, pre-fight estimations hinted at a handsome payday for Joshua, anticipated to soar around $50 million, while Ngannou was poised to claim approximately $20 million. Additional earnings from pay-per-view shares promised to further augment their fortunes.
In the aftermath of the clash, as Riyadh's echoes of triumph began to fade, one certainty remained: for Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou, the spoils of battle transcended mere victory or defeat, yielding riches befitting their status as titans of the ring.
