timeHis abrupt end was both shocking and predictable. Francis Ngannou, a heavyweight champion who excels in the contrasting world of MMA, has made his slow and erratic move to Anthony Joshua. Previously, in only his second fight as a professional boxer, he had been knocked down twice. Olympic gold medalist and two-time former world heavyweight champion Joshua stepped forward to close the show. He knocked down the faltering newbie with a ruthless finish.
It was entirely expected, but still strangely shocking, in the early hours of Saturday morning in Riyadh.Joshua have so much time He was able to stay on his feet, aim and unleash a ferocious overhand right that crushed Ngannou’s temple so hard that he began to lose consciousness as he fell to the canvas. Within seconds he was on his back. The referee frantically waved his left arm to signal the end of the second round and ran to his rescue.
The sport of boxing thrives on such images of violence, which means that, even for those of us who still love the grit, determination and skill of boxers, it’s ultimately a bleak and often harrowing enterprise. Joshua, who has also been shockingly stopped by Andy Ruiz Jr. and picked apart twice by Oxander Usyk, understands these harsh truths. He didn’t roar or climb a rope to celebrate Ngannou’s death. Instead, Joshua looked away from his injured opponent and quietly walked over to his new trainer Ben Davidson, who tapped his gloves and admitted he was doing a good job in the brutal training.
They are right to be unhappy. Joshua does his job with clinical efficiency while also showing the resentment that lies deep within all great heavyweights. Mike Tyson has been able to generate these stoic reactions better than any other boxer in the past. After dispatching another hapless opponent, Tyson would trudge around the ring with a disdainful attitude. The melancholy expression reflected his certainty that the outcome would always be obvious. It was chilling, intimidating, and established the mythology of Iron Mike.
But Tyson was lost in a dark maze. He eventually came untied outside the ring and between the ropes. Joshua, a heavyweight boxing student, is immersed in these fascinating yet quietly tragic stories and experiences the pain of his defeat.
Joshua also knows that as long as he is prepared and fights calmly, he can defeat Ngannou. He has been boxing professionally for 10 years and 10 months, and it has been just over four months since Ngannou made his professional boxing debut.
Boxing logic was twisted on that surreal night last October when Ngannou stunned Tyson Fury in the third round in his first fight as a boxer. Fury stood up to eke out a split decision victory. Ngannou performed admirably, but Fury was lethargic and lost his usual array of tricks.
Joshua destroyed Ngannou in the Saudi Arabian desert, which turned out to be a mirage. His promoter Eddie Hearn adopted the hyperbole that Joshua eschewed. “You’re looking at the baddest man on the planet,” Hearn said, pointing to Joshua, borrowing one of Tyson’s old nicknames. “He’s the best heavyweight boxer in the world and I can’t wait for him to beat Tyson Fury.”
Hearn’s comments are almost as ridiculous as the idea of these crossover fights. Fury was unflappable in response to Hearn’s boast: “I’m sure Alexander Usyk would have something to say about that, considering he beat Hearn.” [Joshua] twice.It’s me and Usyk fighting for the No. 1 and No. 2 spot and the undisputed world title. [in May]. I had a terrible game against Ngannou. I never said anything different. Joshua knocked him out, that’s what a boxer should do. “
Usyk holds the IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles, while Fury retains the WBC belt. Their spectacular fight is the real deal and should confirm boxing’s first undisputed world heavyweight champion of the 21st century. The last man to claim this lofty status was Lennox Lewis in 1999, another great boxer who fueled Tyson’s undoing.
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Over the past week, Joshua has restored some order and clarity to boxing by highlighting the dangerous folly of such crossover fights. They should not be allowed because lasting damage could occur.
Of course, since this is a boxing match, Joshua delivered grim news the day before he faced Ngannou. On July 20, YouTube star-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul will have “a blockbuster exhibition match” with Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It is predicted that the game, which will be broadcast live on Netflix, will attract 80,000 viewers and bring in more than $100 million in revenue. Tyson just turned 58 this year.
Hearn, who had previously promoted the YouTube clip, described the news as “very sad”. It’s a great event, but for true fans of the sport, this particular game is sad. “
Despite Joshua’s razor-sharp realism before 3.30am on Saturday morning, boxing’s madhouse is still roaring. But, in the dead of night, we were reminded that only a true boxer could conquer such dangerous terrain.
