Anthony Joshua: VS ngannou| Stats| Fight record| Boxing record

Introduction

The clash between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou added another dramatic chapter to heavyweight boxing. Joshua, a seasoned two-time unified heavyweight champion, stepped into the ring with Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion making waves in boxing. In this article we’ll examine Joshua’s boxing record, Ngannou’s transition to boxing, then dive into their head-to-head build-up, fight details, stats, and what this means for both fighters moving forward.

Anthony Joshua: Career & Boxing Record

Anthony Joshua turned professional in 2013. 
Some key figures:

• Professional boxing record (approximate as of March 2024): 27 wins, 3 losses, 0 draws.

• KO/finish rate: He’s recorded around 24 KOs in those 27 wins.

• Height/Reach: About 1.98 m (6′6″) and an 82-inch reach listed in some sources.

• Notable defeats: To Oleksandr Usyk twice (Sept 2021 by UD, Aug 2022 by SD) – both for major heavyweight titles.

Joshua’s strengths: power, size, championship experience. His weaknesses: perhaps consistency at the very top level (e.g., Usyk losses), and adapting when opponents press a high pace.

Francis Ngannou: Boxing Transition & Credentials

Francis Ngannou is best known as a dominant MMA heavyweight (former UFC champion) who transitioned into pro boxing. Some key stats:

• Prior MMA background: Massive punching power, big name; his boxing record prior to the Joshua fight was 0-1 in boxing by many accounts.

• In the boxing build-up vs Joshua: One source lists his pro-boxing record as 0 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws entering the fight.

• Background stats: In his MMA career he had high knockout statistics (e.g., 11 first-round finishes in 20 professional fights) and 41% striking accuracy cited.

Ngannou’s advantages: raw power, athleticism, big-name crossover appeal. His disadvantages: relatively little boxing ring experience, especially compared to top tier heavyweights.

Joshua vs Ngannou: Build-Up & Tale of the Tape

Background

• The fight was scheduled in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, early March 2024.

• For Joshua: He entered post two losses to Usyk and was seeking revival. For Ngannou: Boxing was a new frontier and a big chance to establish himself in the ring.

Tale of the Tape (selected)

Pre-Fight Expectations

• Joshua was viewed as the clear boxer vs – bigger edge in experience, skill-set and championship pedigree.

• Ngannou was regarded as the “dangerous variable” – his punching power and athleticism meant he could upset with one shot. One breakdown described it as “if Ngannou can catch Joshua…” scenario. Anthony Joshua vs Ngannou.

The Fight: Summary & Key Moments

The bout did not disappoint.

• According to fight reports, in Round 1 Joshua floored Ngannou with a straight right hand as Ngannou switched to southpaw late.

• In Round 2, Joshua again knocked him down, and then landed a go-home right that ended the fight.

• The referee stopped the fight after the second knockdown of Round 2 when Ngannou was sent down for what appeared to be the finishing shot.

So the fight ended early with a knockout in Round 2 favouring Joshua.

Detailed Stats & Records

Joshua’s Stats vs Ngannou

• Entering the fight: 27-3 (24 KOs) approximate.

• Fight rounds of prior career: about 160 rounds.

• KO / Finish rate: Approx 89% (very high) according to BusinessDay.

Ngannou’s Boxing Stats

• As boxer: 0-1 entering the fight vs Joshua.

• In MMA: 11 first-round finishes in 20 professional fights.

• Striking accuracy cited at 41% (MMA context).

Head-to-Head Comparison

• Experience: Joshua had many more boxing fights; Ngannou was at the very early stage in boxing.

• Power: While Ngannou has tremendous MMA power, Joshua had boxing-specific power and finishing track record.

• Ring craft & stamina: Joshua’s boxing background favoured him; Ngannou’s ring IQ in pure boxing was less tested. Anthony Joshua vs Ngannou.

What This Fight Means

For Joshua

• The win re-establishes Joshua’s credentials and might pave the way for another shot at a major heavyweight title.

• It addresses concerns about decline (having lost two big fights) by delivering a dominant show.

• But he still must prove consistency and beat top-tier opposition to re-claim undisputed status.

For Ngannou

• While his boxing record took a blow, he showed willingness to crossover and take big risks.

• However, the result highlights that transition to boxing at the elite level is not straightforward—even with brute power.

• He may need to develop ring experience, boxing-specific skill-sets and perhaps pick up wins before challenging top boxers again.

For the Heavyweight Division

• This fight reinforces boxing vs crossover narratives: MMA stars entering boxing will still face the discipline of boxing specialists.

• Offers matchmaking intrigue: Do we see Joshua vs other big names (e.g., Tyson Fury, Usyk rematch) or Ngannou trying to climb the ranks?

• Promotes the globalisation of heavyweight boxing (Saudi Arabia venue, crossover appeal).

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. What is Anthony Joshua’s current boxing record?
At the time of fighting Ngannou, Joshua was ~ 27-3-0 in professional boxing with approximately 24 KOs.

Q2. What was Francis Ngannou’s boxing record before fighting Joshua?
He was 0-1-0 in boxing entering the fight vs Joshua.

Q3. How did Joshua defeat Ngannou?
Joshua knocked Ngannou down in Round 1, again in Round 2, and ended the fight via knockout (straight right hand) in the second round.

Q4. What was Joshua’s KO/finish percentage entering the fight?
Around 89% finish/KO rate according to sources.

Q5. Does this result mean Ngannou can never succeed in boxing?
No — but it highlights the gap in expertise, experience and refined boxing skill between a seasoned champion like Joshua and a relative novice in the ring. With the right development, Ngannou still has potential, but the defeat is a reality check.

Q6. What’s next for Anthony Joshua?
The win opens the door for potential big-name match ups, possibly for title contention. Maintaining momentum will be key.

Q7. What’s next for Francis Ngannou?
A period of reassessment: working on boxing specific skills, gaining experience, and deciding whether to continue in boxing or return to MMA or hybrid bouts. Anthony Joshua vs Ngannou.

Conclusion

The bout between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou was more than just a spectacle; it was a reaffirmation of boxing expertise and the challenges of crossover combatants stepping into the ring. Joshua’s dominant victory underscores his status among the heavyweight elite, while Ngannou’s effort—though valiant—demonstrated that raw power alone isn’t sufficient when faced with a boxing specialist.