Francis Ngannou reacts to Anthony Joshua ending: ‘I didn’t feel the punch … that’s how I know I was knocked out’

Francis Ngannou can’t say for sure if Anthony Joshua hit him tougher than anybody else in his profession – he truthfully doesn’t bear in mind it.

The previous UFC heavyweight champion addressed his gorgeous knockout loss to Joshua on Friday. He was dropped to the canvas thrice inside two rounds, with the final shot placing him down for good; an overhand proper from Joshua blasted him, and he was unconscious earlier than he hit the bottom.

“That was a clear one,” Ngannou mentioned of the knockout blow whereas showing on the post-fight press convention. “Actually, I didn’t really feel the punch. That’s what the knockout is about. I don’t really feel any ache. That’s how I do know I used to be knocked out.”

Ngannou stayed down for a number of minutes after the knockout landed, however he ultimately took some oxygen and obtained again to his ft. Afterward, he issued an apology on social media, stating “sorry guys, I allow you to all down.” He additionally referred to as his loss “a foul day within the workplace.”

Reflecting on the loss minutes later, Ngannou credited Joshua for a job nicely executed. Joshua scored a knockdown within the opening spherical and by no means let up till the end.

It was Joshua’s proper hand that gave Ngannou issues all through your complete battle with all three knockdowns — together with the ending shot — coming from that facet.

“It was fairly particular, as a result of it stopped me,” Ngannou mentioned about Joshua’s proper. “It did what Tyson Fury couldn’t do.

“It wasn’t my day, and he’s simply manner higher than me as we speak. It sucks, however it’s the sport, everyone knows that. It’s the sport.”

The loss drops Ngannou to 0-2 in his boxing profession, however falling to Joshua actually doesn’t diminish his future choices. As quickly because the battle was over, Joshua inspired him to stay with boxing, and those self same phrases had been supplied as they shared the stage on the post-fight press convention.

Previous to the loss, Ngannou hoped to earn a rematch with Tyson Fury following a razor-close determination of their first encounter. Now, it stays to be seen if that can occur. Ngannou may additionally doubtlessly face fellow knockout artist Deontay Wilder; the 2 danced round a doable battle after the previous UFC heavyweight champion transitioned to boxing.

After all, Ngannou already signed with the PFL for his subsequent MMA battle, which is anticipated towards Renan Ferreira after Fereira dispatched Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in February.

Ngannou isn’t able to make any commitments about what comes subsequent, however he guarantees the loss to Joshua gained’t put an finish to his boxing aspirations.

“As for proper now, I believe I’m going to go dwelling, get some relaxation, course of what simply occurred,” Ngannou mentioned. “This has been a hell of a day, since this morning. I’ll course of it and see what’s the subsequent step.

“However possibly MMA, however you possibly can ensure that I’m not executed right here [in boxing]. Completely not. I’m not executed.”