Anthony Joshua said after his triumph: “It is what it is. On the route to the championship you should always stay focused and I had to step away from the mission.
“I am still learning and pushing, I don’t know if I am coming into my peak, if that was me down there you would be saying ‘Anthony Joshua should retire’.
“In five years I will be finished fighting and sitting down and all this will be a distant memory.
“I am going to go back and lock myself in my cage and they can let me out when they want me to fight. I just want to fight.”
Jake Paul - who has a big fight himself coming up against Mike Tyson - has heaped praise on Anthony Joshua.
Paul wrote on X: "Francis Ngannou is one of the greatest fighters of all time. Respect due. Anthony Joshua is back. Activity & focus drives dominance."
Fans have claimed Nick Ball was robbed after his fight with Rey Vargas ended in a draw.
The pair fought on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou in the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh last night.
Brit Ball took a while to get to grips with the featherweight champion as Vargas edged the early exchanges.
But the Liverpudlian started to find his target and rocked the Mexican on more than one occasion.
He dropped Vargas twice and viewers had Ball winning each of the last six rounds.
So many were, including a fuming Frank Warren, were shocked when the judges scored the contest a draw, and the announcement was greeted with boos inside the venue.
Joshua knocked down Ngannou two minutes into the contest and Fury reacted with enthusiasm as he vigorously nodded his head and passionately applauded his compatriot.
That was just the beginning of the excitement as Ngannou staggered back to his feet before seeing out the round.
Boxer Ryan Garcia - who has a big fight himself coming up - has said AJ's stunning KO win should be a big warning to MMA fighters stepping in the boxing ring.
Garcia wrote: "Let this be A BIG WARNING to MMA fighters!! Stop coming to boxing it will only get worst.
"ITS more even if we just go to your sport! OVER! ONE PUNCH. Sending healing prayers to FRANCIS!"
After he was finally back on his feet, Joshua told the cameras: “It is what it is.
“On the route to the championship you should always stay focused and I had to step away from the mission. I thought it was just a gimmick for the broadcasters.
"When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought damn this guy can fight, I want a piece of that.
"I wanted to welcome him and this does not take anything away from him, he can come again.
“I am still learning and pushing, I don’t know if I am coming into my peak, if that was me down there you would be saying ‘Anthony Joshua should retire’.
“In five years I will be finished fighting and sitting down and all this will be a distant memory.
“I am going to go back and lock myself in my cage and they can let me out when they want me to fight. I just want to fight.”
Anthony Joshua obliterated Francis Ngannou in two sensational rounds to cement his place back in the heavyweight world title race.
The same man who took Tyson Fury the 10-round distance on his boxing debut in October - and dropped the WBC Gypsy King- never laid a glove on our 34-year-old superstar.
AJ was punch-perfect, calm and measured while also being ruthless and savage, putting the former UFC star on the ground twice before delivering the knockout punch.
Eddie Hearn speaking to DAZN. “I’m so proud of him, there was a huge amount of pressure on him tonight. He rolled the dice because His Excellency told us the winner of this will fight the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury.
“On this form there is no man in the heavyweight division who can beat Anthony Joshua. There is a man down there called Tyson Fury. Please defeat Usyk, because then we can set up the biggest fight in the history of the heavyweight division.”
Anthony Joshua has given a lot of credit to his trainer Ben Davison and the team. No wonder, two battles two KOs.
Anthony Joshua speaking to DAZN after knocking out Francis Ngannou: "On the road to the championship, you should always stay focussed. I thought this was something for the broadcasters to get behind.
"When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought 'I want some of that.' He is a great champion and this doesn't take anything away from his capabilities. I told him not to leave boxing. He's two fights in and he fought the best.
"The Ben Davison performance centre, I appreciate them highly. All of these guys that I worked with until this day. I'm just hungry. Stay hungry and all that good stuff.
"It only takes one shot in the heavyweight division. Joseph Parker is one of my favourite fighters, he had it tough and look at him now. I'm just doing it while I'm here and making the most of it. In five years I won't be fighting.
"Eddie Hearn and my team will shape my future. I'm going back to my cage and when they let me out, I'll fight again.
"The people of Cameroon, I appreciate you. Africa united, respect. Everyone here tonight, I appreciate you. Thank you to Francis Ngannou."
Anthony Joshua is buzzing. Rightly so, I'd imagine that right hand is still ringing.
"It is what it is," Joshua says.
“When I saw the fight between Francis and Tyson Fury, I realised he could fight. And I wanted a piece of that. He’s an inspiration. He’s a great champion and this result doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities.
“I told him he shouldn’t leave boxing. He can do well. He’s fought two of the best.”
Anthony Joshua celebrates victory against Francis NgannouCredit: GETTY
