Francis Ngannou admits to still needing 'medical work' five days after savage Anthony Joshua knockout

Francis Ngannou admits to still needing 'medical work' five days after savage Anthony Joshua knockout

Watch now: Anthony Joshua's Francis Ngannou knockout

Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 13/03/2024

- 22:20

Francis Ngannou was knocked out cold in the second round of his fight against Anthony Joshua.

Francis Ngannou has revealed that he's still set to go undergo more "medical work" to check his health following his brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua last week.

Joshua was heavily questioned for taking what was seen as a huge risk by going up against Ngannou, who surprised the entire heavyweight division with his boxing debut against Tyson Fury in October last year.


However, Joshua put in arguably his most dominant and powerful performance in recent years to send a message to the entire division with his knockout victory over Ngannou.

The two-time heavyweight champion was in control from the first bell and floored Ngannou in the first round and early in the second.

The former UFC champion never truly recovered and was clearly dazed when he returned to his feet the second time.

Joshua showed no mercy though and delivered an explosive right hand to send Ngannou crumbling to the canvas with the 37-year-old immediately receiving medical attention.

Francis Ngannou spoke on Instagram Live

Francis Ngannou spoke on Instagram Live

INSTAGRAM

Ngannou still didn't seem completely there when he returned to his feet and apologised to boxing fans on social media afterwards for "letting you all down".

The Cameroon-born fighter has now spoken even further about the fight and insist he's already eyeing his comeback bout.

However, Ngannou added that he still needs to undergo some tests following the savage knockout he received.

"I just have to let you guys know that it's not over yet - not at all," Ngannou said.

"We just getting started. The only thing that we would miss is time and I think we have some good amount of time ahead of us.

"Gonna take some time for myself, chill, spend time with my family and my friends and then come back to training and get prepared for another challenge.

"We move, but regardless I feel okay. I was quite surprised that I remember everything from that fight night and coming back to the locker room.

"Basically I was conscious right after and since then everything be good although still going to run some medical work just in case."

He added: "I feel healthy but for the longevity of the sport... we better check and find out if there's anything that could be done to get better.

"If there's anything wrong than can retaliate after so that's basically where I am at right now."

Ngannou also explained that he didn't feel right moments before the fight and was even "falling asleep" in the locker room.

He added: "I remember being in the locker [room] trying to warm up and then, bro he wasn't going.

Francis Ngannou was knocked out cold

Francis Ngannou was knocked out cold

GETTY

"I was feeling asleep. I told Eric, 'Bro, something like I'm feeling asleep. I'm sweating but I'm feeling asleep'.

"I assumed that's how some people that I have fought thought.

"Basically it was my first time to fear that.

"That's why I kind of took a couple of days out and took some time for me.

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Francis Ngannou crumbled to the floor

Francis Ngannou crumbled to the floor

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"Obviously I had to reflect on everything that happened to the fight and I'm going to start this by saying hands up to Anthony Joshua and to his team.

"They executed their plan properly and head up to my team too because they did a great job.

"I think I was just the one who didn't execute the plan properly and maybe didn't feel completely present.

"I was only the one that didn't show up let's say because everybody showed up and did what they should have done."

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