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The former two-time unified world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, brutally knocked out Francis Ngannou, former UFC champion, in the second round on Saturday morning in Riyadh. Portuguese football manager Jose Mourinho and Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario attended the fight and congratulated Joshua after his second-round knockout win against Ngannou.
Jose Mourinho and Ronaldo (R9) were among the top global celebrities who attended the highly-anticipated crossover clash between Joshua and Ngannou. While Mourinho is without a club following his January 2024 sacking from Italian club Roma, the 61-year-old coach has been inked with joining the Saudi Pro League.
On Saturday morning, Joshua knocked Ngannou thrice during his second-round victory. After knocking Ngannou to the floor in the first round, Joshua continued his dominance and forced the ex-UFC champ onto the canvas. However, Ngannou managed to beat the referee's count only to get knocked out with a right cross moments later as Joshua won the fight with 50 seconds left in the second round. Mourinho and Ronaldo congratulated the British boxer from the ringside and the video has gone viral on social media.
Watch Mourinho, Ronaldo congratulate Anthony Joshua:
Total respect between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou
In a post-fight conference, Joshua and Ngannou showed their respect for each other as Joshua revealed what he told Ngannou after the fight, "It is what it is. We welcomed (Ngannou to boxing), he’s a great champion. It doesn’t take away from his capability. He can come again, I told him he can stay in boxing. It’s up to him."
Watch the video here:
On the other hand, Ngannou also praised Joshua's commitment and said, "He stopped me. He did what Tyson Fury couldn't do. It wasn’t my day and he was much better than me today." While Joshua said, "You beat Tyson." The Cameroonian-French continued, "It was not my day, today. He was just way better than me today."
