Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou LIVE: UK start time, undercard, TV and stream

HIGHLIGHTS: Joshua KOs Ngannou

The moment that @anthonyjoshua DESTROYED Francis Ngannou #JoshuaNgannou | #KnockoutChaos | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/ONl1rlhSlo

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 9, 2024

Full 'Knockout Chaos' results

Anthony Joshua bts Francis Ngannou via KO - Round 2, 2:38

Joseph Parker bts Zhilei Zhang via majority decision (113-113, 114-112, 115-111)

Ray Vargas and Nick Ball fight to split draw (114-112, 116-110, 113-113)

Israil Madrimov bts Magomed Kurbanov via TKO - Round 5, 2:20

Mark Chamberlain bts Gavin Gwynne via TKO - Round 4, 2:46

Justis Huni bts Kevin Lerena via unanimous decision (96-94, 96-94, 98-92)

Louis Greene bts Jack McGann via TKO - Round 1, 1:29

Roman Fury bts Martin Svarc via unanimous decision (39-37, 39-37, 39-37)

Ziyad Almaayouf bts Christian Lopez Flores via unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)

Conor McGregor accused of "chickening out" of UFC fight ahead of comeback

Andrii Novytskyi bts Juan Torres via KO - Round 3, 2:43

Fury on Joshua's performance

Fury was impressed with Joshua's win as he said: "I had a s*** performance against Ngannou and I almost got it right, I predicted one round. He did absolutely fantastic tonight, he lit him up with a right hand and knocked him out. That’s what a boxer should have done with him, but if he fights next year it’ll be a different game.

Fury scoffed at Eddie Hearn's claim that Joshua is the best heavyweight in the world, adding: "I'm sure that Oleksandr Usyk will have something to say about that given he beat him twice. For the actual real boxing, it’s me and Usyk who fight for the undisputed heavyweight world championship of the world."

Eddie Hearn talks Joshua's KO

"I’m so proud of him, there was a huge amount of pressure tonight. You’re looking at the baddest man on the planet, the number one heavyweight in the world. I told you that he’s going to come back and become the undisputed heavyweight world champion. What I said would happened, happened and I cannot wait for him to beat Tyson Fury," Hearn said.

Joshua KO's Ngannou

He did what Tyson Fury couldn't - and he did it in emphatic fashion. Joshua KO's Ngannou stiff in the second round and leaves him needing oxygen. Ngannou is thankfully up and on his feet for the official decision to be read out.

"It is what it is. What I said was on the route to the championship, you should always stay focused and that was me stepping aside from that misison. But when I saw the fight with him and Tyson Fury, I was like 'Damn this guy can fight.' He's an inspiration, a great champion and this doesn't take away anything from his capabilities.

"I told him that he shouldn't leave boxing, he can go a long way if he stays dedicated but it's up to him. The Ben Davison performance centre. I appreciate them [my team] highly, all of these guys that have helped till this day. I'm still learning and pushing. It only takes one shot in the heavyweight division," Joshua said after his win.

Official result: Anthony Joshua bts Francis Ngannou via KO - Round 2, 2:38

That was brutal. pic.twitter.com/dkiBGV2JEv

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 9, 2024

JOSHUA'S KNOCKOUT

Anthony Joshua BRUTALLY knocks out Francis Ngannou in the second round.

@MikeBohn pic.twitter.com/6DeRyiVcOA

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 9, 2024

Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou - Round 2

Ngannou seems to have recovered after being knocked down, but he is reacting to every feint from Joshua. Another good right hand from Joshua. Double jab from Ngannou but he doesn't follow up with a right hand. Another big right hand from Joshua and NGANNOU IS DOWN AGAIN! Ngannou gets back up by another right hand from AJ and NGANNOU IS OUT COLD!

Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou - Round 1

Jab to the body from Joshua to get things underway. Left hook from Ngannou comes up short. Right hand to the body from Ngannou and another jab to the body from Joshua. Ngannou switches to southpaw with a minute left in the first round, right hand from Joshua and NGANNOU IS DOWN! Big first round for Joshua

HERE COMES JOSHUA!

'AJ' all in white with old-school brown gloves, Joshua makes the walk...

Moments away from our main event!

NGANNOU IN THE RING

Walking out to Drake's 'God's Plan' - here comes Ngannou!

JOSHUA VS NGANNOU NEXT

3am in Saudi Arabia, past midnight UK... but finally Joshua vs Ngannou is UP NEXT!

Moments away from ring walks!

RESULT: Joseph Parker bts Zhilei Zhang on points

It wasn't the prettiest, but Parker got up off the canvas TWICE to win on points. Zhang's output was bizarre as he didn't follow-up after hurting Parker as the New Zealander cruised to victory.

"I feel like we're on the up now, Zhang is a tough man. He knocked me down twice. I'm very happy, I'm going to go home and celebrate. Hard work, hard work, hard work. It's an incredible feeling, look where we are. What's next is I'm fighting Zhang again, that's what we're contracted to," Parker said after his win.

Official result: Joseph Parker bts Zhilei Zhang via majority decision (113-113, 114-112, 115-111)

113-113
114-112
115-111

PARKER BEATS ZHANG! #ZhangParker x #JoshuaNgannou pic.twitter.com/TXLDY6UNAh

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 9, 2024

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 12

Parker has almost landed double the amount of punches Zhang has going into this last round. Parker is surely cruising to a win here as Zhang's output remains the same, nonexistent. The New Zealander has survied two knocked and he will surely get the nod on points.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 11

It could very well be evenly matched on the scorecards going into these last two rounds. Parker's experience is showing as Zhang looks slow and is breathing heavy. Three-punch combination from Parker wholst Zhang is only throwing single shots - and many of them aren't landing. Last three minutes up next.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 10

Less than ten minutes to go and Parker is winning these late rounds. Good hook to the body from Parker and Zhang blocks the follow-up. Zhang is barely throwing any punches in this round and Parker is winning purely on activity.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 9

Parker is the more active fighter as Zhang is seemingly worried about emptying his gas tank. Good shots to the body from Parker and he goes upstairs after. Good round for Parker.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 8

Right hand from Parker to start the round gets Zhang's attention! PARKER IS DOWN AGAIN! This time a right hook for Zhang lands that seemingly had nothing behind it, scary power from the Chinese giant. Great body attack from Parker, but that's a second 10-8 round for Zhang in this fight.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 7

Ironically, Zhang has likely lost every round since knocking down Parker. Good right hand from Parker and he follows up with a one-two. Zhang venting his frustration to the referee as Parker clinches with him.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 6

Zhang needs to up his output or he risks giving up rounds to Parker, who is outworking his rival. Good right hand from Parker and Zhang goes the body but they clinch. Not the most entertaining round.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 5

Parker’s gameplan is clear, drag this into the later rounds and avoid Zhang’s left hand at all costs. Good right hand from Parker but it doesn’t connect clean. Zhang hasn’t done that much since putting Parker down in the third.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 4

Parker’s nose is bloodied up and the risk of that left hand from Zhang is ever-present now. Parker with a good two-punch combination that gets the respect of Zhang. Good body shot from Parker but his next one goes low. Zhang is knocked off balance with a right hand from Parker! Good round for the New Zealander.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 3

Good jab to the body from Parker, followed by a one-two from the New Zealander but Zhang blocks it. Left hand from Zhang and PARKER IS DOWN! Out of nowhere from Zhang, perfect timing on the punch.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 2

Parker starts the round on the front foot, perhaps encouraged by that opening session. A right hand crashes into the Chinese fighter's chest but the big man takes it well. But Parker looked to be in trouble against the ropes momentarily. Shaping up nicely, this one.

Joseph Parker vs Zhilei Zhang - Round 1

Not a whole lot between the two heavyweights in a cautious opening round. Zhang will no doubt look to land the one big shot that could put Parker's lights out but he's not exactly subtle about it.

Ring walks imminent...

We are about to get underway with the ring walks for the co-main event!

Parker vs Zhang - here we go! Over a FOURTY POUND weight advantage for Zhang who weighed in at 291lb whilst Parker came in at 247lb.

CO-MAIN EVENT NEXT!

Just one more fight to go until Joshua vs Ngannou

Up next - the highly anticipated co-main event between Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker...

ZHANG. PARKER. NEXT. #JoshuaNgannou, live now worldwide on DAZN. Buy NOW at https://t.co/FoiaUucafv #KnockoutChaos | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/rXc7Oe8w8e

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 8, 2024

RESULT: Nick Ball and Ray Vargas fight to split draw

We said those scorecards could be interesting... and they proved to be just that. Ball seemed to have done enough to become the new WBC featherweight world champion, but he fights to a split draw with Vargas, who retains his belt.

"I had two knockdowns and I was putting the pressure on for the whole fight, so I thought I had done enough to win it. It's a bit frustrating but that's just the way it is," Ball said after the fight.

Vargas believe he did enough to win the fight but said he is open to running it back with Ball: "Even though we got a draw, that's a double victory. I will even come here to his backyard to fight him, I'm not afraid of that."

Ball's promoter Frank Warren was fuming with the decision as he said of Ball: "He won the fight! We're not crybabies, listen to the crowd? Did he win it or did he not win it? How is that a split, he had him down twice."

Official result: Ray Vargas and Nick Ball fight to split draw (114-112, 116-110, 113-113)

114-112: Vargas
116-110: Ball
113-113

We have a draw... @DAZNBoxing #KnockoutChaos #VargasBall #JoshuaNgannou pic.twitter.com/wW4AjMGzon

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) March 8, 2024

Ray Vargas vs Nick Ball - Round 12

Ball is not slowing down in this last round, backing Vargas to the corner of the ropes and not letting him escape.A fantastic turnaround from Ball, who was likely five rounds down before turning the fight around. We go the distance, this scorecards could be interesting...

Ray Vargas vs Nick Ball - Round 11

Two rounds to go and Ball needs to keep this pace up to get the nod. Good left hook from Vargas and Ball comes back with a right hand that FLOORS the Mexican! Second knockdown of the fight for Ball, that is huge! What a way to close out the round!

Ray Vargas vs Nick Ball - Round 10

Stinging body shot lands from Vargas. Ball is looking confident but knows he is still behind on the scorecards and needs to finish strong. Big overhand right from Ball just grazes Vargas. Relentless pace from the Scouser and Ball lands another good hook to the body.