In a recent sporting event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou faced a significant defeat in a boxing match against British boxer Anthony Joshua. The bout concluded with Joshua knocking out Ngannou in just two rounds, marking a pivotal moment for both fighters. Despite the loss, Ngannou, aged 37 and originally from Cameroon, has made clear his intention to persist with his boxing career. He expressed admiration for Joshua’s superior performance but remains determined to not let this setback mark the end of his pursuit in the sport.

The match highlighted Ngannou’s challenging transition from MMA to boxing, where he now holds a record of two losses from two matches. Nonetheless, Ngannou is considering a return to MMA, with a prospective fight against Professional Fighters League heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira later in the year.

Anthony Joshua, on his part, has extended empathy and support towards Ngannou, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in boxing. Joshua, reflecting on his own journey and the unpredictability within the heavyweight division, has encouraged Ngannou to remain focused on his path within the sport. Following his victory, Joshua is looking forward to potentially facing the winner of the upcoming bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Tyson Fury, who witnessed Joshua’s victory, praised his performance while anticipating a potential future fight against him. This expectation is contingent on the outcome of Fury’s next match against Usyk, which could lead to a significant showdown in the boxing world. Promoter Eddie Hearn has also voiced his support for Joshua, labeling him as the world’s best heavyweight and signaling enthusiasm for a match against Fury.

In the aftermath of the defeat, Ngannou issued an apology to his fans and reflected on his boxing journey, particularly acknowledging the contrast between his knockout loss to Joshua and his earlier narrow defeat to Tyson Fury. Regardless of the setback, Joshua has offered words of encouragement to Ngannou and suggested potential collaboration on charitable projects focusing on the African community.

The series of events underscores the competitive nature of boxing and MMA, highlighting the resilience and determination of athletes like Ngannou as they navigate their careers across different combat sports.