Anthony Joshua urged Francis Ngannou to not give up boxing after he defeated the 37-year-old in simply his second skilled battle in Riyadh.
Joshua knocked the previous UFC champion out within the second spherical leaving him requiring oxygen within the ring.
Ngannou, who carried out nicely in dropping narrowly on factors to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in what had been his solely earlier battle, began brightly once more in Riyadh, holding his personal nicely for a lot of the primary spherical.
He was placed on the canvas by Joshua with a couple of minute to go within the spherical, and when he went down once more within the second there seemed to be little probability of Ngannou persevering with.
“On the street to the championship, it’s best to at all times keep centered,” Joshua informed broadcaster DAZN. “I believed this was one thing for the broadcasters to get behind.
“After I noticed the battle with Tyson Fury, I believed I would like a few of that. (Ngannou) is a superb champion and this doesn’t take something away from his capabilities. I informed him to not depart boxing. He’s two fights in and he fought one of the best.”
For Joshua it’s now 4 wins in a row as he put himself in prime place to fulfill the winner of the Could 18 battle between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
“The Ben Davison efficiency centre, I admire them extremely,” he mentioned. “All of those guys that I labored with till today. I’m simply hungry. Keep hungry and all that great things.
“It solely takes one shot within the heavyweight division. Joseph Parker is considered one of my favorite fighters, he had it powerful and take a look at him now. I’m simply doing it whereas I’m right here and taking advantage of it. In 5 years I received’t be preventing.
“Eddie Hearn and my workforce will form my future. I’m going again to my cage and once they let me out, I’ll battle once more.
“The folks of Cameroon, I admire you. Africa united, respect. Everybody right here tonight, I admire you. Thanks to Francis Ngannou.”
