An action packed night was had on the ‘Knockout Chaos’ card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Top billing and statement went to former two-time unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KO’s) in demolishing former UFC champion Francis Ngannou (0-2 as a boxer) inside two rounds.
The emphatic nature of the victory significantly announces Joshua’s right to now legitimately challenge the winner of the undisputed world title fight contested when Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KO’s) and Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KO’s) meet in the same territory ten weeks from now (May 18).
The performance and finish was very impressive, with the ex-champion dropping his man first in the opening round and finishing him off with two knockdowns in the second, including arguably the best right hand he’s ever thrown to finish it on 2:38 of that round.
Immediately on impact Ngannou slumped to the canvas and was worryingly left motionless as the referee waved the contest over.
The 34 year old Joshua’s victory contrasts sharply with Tyson Fury’s struggle against the same opponent last year, whom he narrowly defeated on a split decision after being floored himself. We considered Ngannou the narrow victor on that occasion.
After Saturday’s demolition the 37 year old Ngannou has shown enough in two contests that he should come again if he continues to pursue a career in Queensberry rules boxing.
First, Usyk and Fury have to duke it out in May to finally get our first undisputed heavyweight champion this century.
In what we considered the main event, continually improving New Zealander Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KO’s) won a close majority decision against Chinese man-mountain Zhilei Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KO’s) . The Kiwi survived two earlier knockdowns himself, but looked impressive down the stretch as he earned and thoroughly deserved his points victory. Yes, we were wrong on that one ! Returned scores were 113-113, 114-112, 115-111 in the Kiwi’s favour.
Narrowly contending for ‘fight of the night’ was the WBC featherweight (9st/126lbs) clash between tall Mexican ‘world’ champion Rey Vargas (36-1-1, 22 KO’s) and Liverpool’s compact Nick Ball (19-0-1, 12 KO’s).
In what was Ball’s first world title challenge, he was impressive. Again there were knockdowns and Vargas built up a big early lead to slow down in the late rounds, but managed to cling onto his title with a controversial twelve round split decision draw. Scores were 114-112, 116-110 and 113-113. The nature of the fight and contention calls for an immediate rematch, most likely in the UK.
The whole event was a big success for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which added to their Riyadh Season immediately before Ramadan.
This has now become an annual feast of boxing as big finances of the Middle East dictate the direction of the sport and significantly enhance the earning potential of its top fighters. On this evidence the Season is a welcome addition to the boxing calendar, albeit the seismic shift sports eastwards understandably has it’s detractors. From our perspective the big fights are being made regularly which is all we can the fans and media can ask.
Next, Usyk and Fury duke it out in May to finally get our first undisputed heavyweight champion this century. That in itself is a prospect to cherish and behold.
The Undisputed 