Unfamiliar territory: Francis Ngannou was knocked down three times in his early stoppage defeat by Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia
Francis Ngannou apologised to his fans after being on the receiving end of a brutal knockout defeat by Anthony Joshua.
The former UFC heavyweight champion was unable to build upon or replicate his stunning performance against Tyson Fury in only his second professional boxing bout back in Saudi Arabia on Friday night, with a positive start quickly wiped away as he was knocked down three times in two rounds and fell victim to one of the most destructive stoppages witnessed in recent times.
The result may have come as something of a reality check for Ngannou, who had stunned the world with his excellent performance on debut against Fury back in October, flooring and cutting the reigning WBC heavyweight champion before being controversially edged out on the scorecards.
Ngannou - who had never been sent down before in his career in professional combat sports - was knocked out cold by a vicious right hand from Joshua to finish a short-lived contest, leaving him plenty to ponder as he weighs up whether to stay in boxing or head back into the world of mixed martial arts having already signed a contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Reacting to his emphatic defeat on social media, a disappointed Ngannou - who had been targeting a rematch with Fury and a possible future fight against Deontay Wilder - wrote: "Sorry guys, I let you all down. Today was a bad day in the office but tomorrow will be another day. Thank you all for the love."
Joshua could be heard after Ngannou received oxygen and got back to his feet imploring his vanquished opponent not to allow such a setback to force him out of boxing, being called a "class act" by his impressed corner.
Asked what he had told Ngannou in his post-fight press conference, Joshua said: "I said don't let this discourage you, don't let success get to your head and you should never let failures get to your heart.
"I told him I think he's an asset to boxing, he's an asset to the fight game. Don't be discouraged and I respect you regardless.
"I said it before, and I still stand on it. I know we had to fight, but what I say I mean. I just told him keep your head high and also, if he hears this, in Cameroon, I know he's got his charity and his organisation, also people that are trying to make it from Africa over to different continents, people are struggling.
"I said I want to link up with him and see if we can do some good work for the African community as well."
Asked how Ngannou took the advice after the heavy knockout, Joshua added: "He wasn't fully aware of what I was saying, but his team took it on board.
"I think he took the part where I said keep your head high, don't let this shade everything that you've been through and everything that's yet to come in your career."
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