By Gabriel Princewill-
The boxing world witnessed a spectacle in the early hours of Saturday morning as Anthony Joshua delivered a thunderous victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
In a time when boxing has faced criticism and scrutiny, Joshua’s performance was a resounding affirmation of the sport’s raw power and beauty, but it doesn’t tell us how he would fare against the likes of Tyson Fury or Olegsander Usyk who has already beaten him twice.
What the impressive performance tells us is that Joshua looked very sharp and confident against a novice heavyweight who did very well against Tyson Fury.
It suggests the Londoner and former two time world heavyweight champion is back to winning ways and may begin to look formidable against world class opponents hereafter, but time will tell whether Joshua can maintain the delivery of such explosive power against more serious opposition.
At 34, he appears sharper and more focused than ever, positioning himself as a formidable force in the heavyweight division.
He will have to replicate that level of dominance at highest tiers of the division to establish himself at the division’s best. That may mean eventually beating both Fury and Usyk, as styles makes fights, and that opportunity remains about a year away at the earliest.
In the meantime, the boxing world will wait to see if Joshua can be just as imposing against the highest ranked opponents in his division.
The bout culminated in a devastating knockout, with Joshua unleashing a mammoth right hand that left Ngannou sprawled on the canvas, unconscious for several moments.
The intensity of the knockout encapsulated the essence of boxing—a collision of skill and power, where one precise strike can alter the course of a fight.
In the first round, Joshua demonstrated patience and precision, setting up the eventual finish with a calculated assault that dropped Ngannou to the canvas, after the Cameroonian made the catastrophic mistake of turning Southpaw.
Though Ngannou managed to rise to his feet, he was dazed and disoriented, unable to withstand Joshua’s relentless onslaught. to close the show.
The aftermath of the knockout saw Ngannou requiring medical attention and oxygen before regaining his feet—a reminder of the unforgiving nature of combat sports.
Joshua’s victory reverberates beyond the ring, dispelling notions that a crossover athlete can seamlessly transition to boxing and achieve immediate success.
Ngannou, a formidable athlete in his own right, encountered the limitations of his skill set against Joshua’s technical prowess and experience.
While Fury must first navigate a bout with Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua’s commanding performance has reignited anticipation for a showdown between two heavyweight titans.
As for Ngannou, the road ahead may lead back to mixed martial arts, where he is set to face Renan Ferreira following his defeat. The loss serves as a humbling reminder of the challenges inherent in combat sports and prompts reflection on his future endeavors.
In the aftermath of Joshua’s triumph, the boxing world eagerly awaits the next chapter in his storied career, while Ngannou begins the journey of redemption and recovery.