London boxing sensation Anthony Joshua added another stunning knockout win to his impressive record when dismantling African Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia. The former world heavyweight champion stopped the one-time UFC heavyweight king after three knockdowns in less than five minutes of boxing.
It was fast-paced, ferocious, and ruthless from AJ, who now moves back into contention for world honors. The punch-perfect performance was a sign to all Londoners that the towering puncher is back approaching his best form. That result over Ngannou in Riyadh improved Joshua’s record to 28 wins against three defeats, with 25 knockout victories and one loss suffered inside the distance. But what’s next for Anthony following that bone-crunching second-round KO?
The 6ft 6inch orthodox boxer from Watford now has his sights set on an all-British clash with WBC champion Tyson Fury. That remains the stuff of dreams for fight fans at present, but the biggest online sportsbooks, including BetUS, offer odds on the winner of AJ vs Fury. Sports fans can jump the queue and secure value, and if the bout doesn’t happen, traders refund all stakes. Who wins, AJ or the Gypsy King? Study the stats and have your say.
Big-fight recap
Joshua entered the fight with Ngannou in Riyadh as the firm favorite to win and get the job done in style. Boxing fans argued a UFC champion with just one professional boxing fight on his record had no business sharing a ring with Joshua. But Ngannou had famously pushed Fury all the way to a points decision late last year on debut. The bulking wrestler even dropped Tyson early in the contest before losing a narrow split decision on the scorecards.
Question marks hung over Joshua vs Ngannou before the first bell. How seriously had Fury taken the fight, and was Ngannou good, or was Tyson just poor on the night? Francis certainly demonstrated his raw power against the Gypsy King, and supporters claimed that if he landed flush on AJ, it would be curtains for the man from Northwest London. But when the bell sounded for the first, it became obvious Francis was a man in over his head.
AJ immediately got to work, finding his range and firing off some big shots. While Fury chose to dance and box, AJ was happy to stand and trade with Ngannou, using his size, strength, and experience. Matching a world champion MMA fighter with a world champion boxer under boxing rules seems silly to combat sports purists. And they were proven correct when AJ dumped Ngannou on the seat of his pants once in the opening round and twice in the second, including the knockout.
AJ’s next move
What’s next for Joshua? He wants a crack at becoming a three-time world champion but knows he must play the waiting game. Fury and Oleksandr Usyk share the belts and will fight in Saudi Arabia this year. The pair signed a two-fight contract with a guaranteed rematch clause, regardless of the first bout’s result. That means AJ must wait at least a year before he can box the winner of Fury vs. Usyk.
Until he gets the fight that could put him back on top of the division, Joshua must remain fit, sharp, and active. He’s likely to have one or two more bouts before getting his hands on either Fury or Usyk. Who will he fight and where? Fans hope to see AJ back in London after back-to-back bouts in Saudi.
Fancy watching Joshua in action or one of the city’s other exciting boxers? The Big Smoke has a bustling boxing scene with a great combination of big arenas and small hall cards. With a fight program happening in London most weekends, this article highlights the best venues. Keep reading as we explain where to watch boxing. Some locations are better known than others, but there’s a hidden gem or two waiting to be discovered by sports fans.
Image by Metin Ozer on Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/@metinozer
York Hall
Just a short walk from Bethnal Green underground station, York Hall is the spiritual home of British boxing. It’s a small venue that blends into the background of a diverse high street, but it’s a significant site for both domestic and global boxing. The York Hall was voted one of the top ten places to watch boxing on the planet, and all the top names from the UK boxing scene have fought there.
ExCel Centre
The ExCel Centre, a bigger and more visually impressive arena in the Docklands area of the city, lies on the banks of the River Thames. It’s a multi-purpose venue that has staged some memorable UK boxing cards over the years, including the much-loved Prizefighter series. With great transport links and a decent capacity, the ExCel Centre is a fine place to watch professional boxing.
Wembley
When the big fights are in town, they happen at Wembley Stadium. Both Joshua and Fury have fought on the Wembley turf before a crown pushing 100,000. You won’t find any small cards or aspiring champions at Wembley Stadium. It’s where the stars come out to shine, and Matchroom Sports chief Eddie Hearn knows how to put on a show. Want to see British boxing at its best? Visit a fight night at Wembley.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
A new addition to London’s stunning skyline. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the city’s most modern venue. Usually hosting Premier League games, it also stages NFL fixtures and major boxing cards. It’s where Joshua lost his world titles to Usyk, so he may be reluctant to return to the scene of the crime for future fixtures.
Camden Centre
We sign off with a charming, old-school boxing venue slap bang in the middle of one of the coolest areas of London. You won’t see too many world champions at the Camden Centre, but it’s a great place to catch the best-emerging talent, and you might see the next big name explode onto the London boxing scene.
Feature image by Cashino NDT on Unsplash
