Cameroonian fighter Francis Ngannou addressed his fans on his social network page and apologized after his loss to British boxer Anthony Joshua.
Ngannou spoke to his audience with humility, admitting that the result did not meet expectations and expressing gratitude for the support he received. He underscored that a setback in the ring is part of the sport and that a fresh start awaits in the days ahead.
The match concluded with Joshua securing a knockout in the second round after Ngannou had suffered two knockdowns earlier in the contest. The pace and power of the early exchanges signaled Joshua’s advantage, while Ngannou showed resilience and big moments in the limited rounds they fought.
The event was broadcast as part of a live boxing tournament round-up edited for online audiences, capturing the atmosphere and key moments of the bout as it unfolded.
Joshua, a multi-time world champion across several sanctioning bodies, has held the IBF title from 2016 to 2019 and again from 2019 to 2021, the WBA belt from 2017 to 2019 and 2019 to 2021, the WBO crown from 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2021, and the IBO title across two periods. He added Olympic glory with the London Games victory in 2012. Across 31 professional fights, he has achieved 28 wins, including 25 by knockout, with three defeats, underscoring a storied career at the highest level of heavyweight boxing.
Ngannou, widely known for his UFC tenure, previously held the UFC heavyweight title and stood among the sport’s elite even as he prepared for a different rule set in boxing. At the moment he stepped away from UFC competition, he was ranked among the top heavyweights, reflecting his standout punching power and athleticism. His boxing debut served as a new chapter in a career defined by combat sports excellence, and while the initial boxing appearance did not yield a win, it highlighted Ngannou’s willingness to take on new challenges and test himself in a different arena.
In the aftermath, Joshua explained the factors that contributed to his triumph and reflected on the performance that led to the decisive finish, offering insights into his strategy and training approach for future bouts.