Anthony Joshua’s trainer Ben Davison believes Francis Ngannou made a grave error which led to his fighter’s KO win.
Joshua unleashed a thumping right hand which knocked his rival out cold in the second round of their Saudi showdown last Friday.
Joshua capitalised and stopped Ngannou in two roundsCredit: getty
It was a dominant display from AJ who completely nullified the threatening power of the ex-UFC champion, who was unable to even get close to landing.
Things could have been dangerous for Joshua, given Ngannou’s impressive performance in his debut when he knocked down Tyson Fury in a narrow defeat.
But Ngannou failed to replicate his success, and Davison believes he spotted the weakness from halfway into the first round.
“We knew he would struggle to defend if AJ did a couple of things beforehand to set a certain scenario up, he’d struggle to defend the right hand from southpaw stance, and that’s what happened,” Davison said on the MMA Hour.
“I just think it was a mistake on his behalf, but I understand, he’s done that throughout his career as well.
“I just felt like that was the key, creating situations where he wouldn’t see the punches, taking his mind elsewhere before hitting him with something else.
“That was the key, making sure he was reacting to something while being made to pay for something else. I feel like AJ did a good job with that.”
Davison has revitalised Joshua’s form since taking the mantle, with two power-punching stoppage wins over Otto Wallin and Ngannou since he entered his corner.
It could be a big year for AJ who may get a chance to become a three-time world champion, if he is ordered to face Filip Hrgovic for the potentially-vacant IBF belt.
Meanwhile for Ngannou, it is a vastly different picture as he will now need to regroup and try to prove he is capable of mixing it at the top again in boxing.
The Cameroon star suggested he felt under the weather during his warm-up for the clash, but refused to use it as an excuse.
He has confirmed he will return to boxing, and could take a whole host of alternative fights including against Dillian Whyte or Deontay Wilder who are waiting in the wings.
