“I’m going back to my cage”

Anthony Joshua has given a lot of credit to his trainer Ben Davison and the team. No wonder, two battles two KOs.

Anthony Joshua speaking to DAZN after knocking out Francis Ngannou: “On the road to the championship, you should always stay focussed. I thought this was something for the broadcasters to get behind.

“When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought ‘I want some of that.’ He is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities. I told him not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he fought the best.

“The Ben Davison performance centre, I appreciate them highly. All of these guys that I worked with until this day. I’m just hungry. Stay hungry and all that good stuff.

“It only takes one shot in the heavyweight division. Joseph Parker is one of my favourite fighters, he had it tough and look at him now. I’m just doing it while I’m here and making the most of it. In five years I won’t be fighting.

“Eddie Hearn and my team will shape my future. I’m going back to my cage and when they let me out, I’ll fight again.

“The people of Cameroon, I appreciate you. Africa united, respect. Everyone here tonight, I appreciate you. Thank you to Francis Ngannou.”

On course

Tyson Fury predicted a first-round KO for Anthony Joshua — he wasn’t far off.

The Brit was applauding his compatriot after the KO, but surely that must have brought on a few concerns.

The WBA, WBO and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk and WBC champion Fury meet on 18 May in an undisputed contest.

If Fury wins that – we’re in. We’re on. It’ll actually happen!

“It is what it is”

Anthony Joshua is buzzing. Rightly so, I’d imagine that right hand is still ringing.

“It is what it is,” Joshua says.

“When I saw the fight between Francis and Tyson Fury, I realised he could fight. And I wanted a piece of that. He’s an inspiration. He’s a great champion and this result doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities.

“I told him he shouldn’t leave boxing. He can do well. He’s fought two of the best.”

Baddest man on the planet

Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn are giving their interviews now. We’ll have the full quotes for you in just a tick.

Hearn doesn’t think that any heavyweight on the planet could lay a glove on his fighter, describing AJ as the real baddest man on the planet.

The comeback is greater than the setback

Since that second Oleksandr Usyk defeat, Anthony Joshua really has embarked on an impressive comeback. The last two were especially good.

• Jermaine Franklin Jr – unanimous points
• Robert Helenius – KO
• Otto Wallin – TKO
• Francis Ngannou – KO

Next up? Well it’s the one we all want to see, right? Tyson Fury!

“You’re an inspiration”

Good to see Francis Ngannou back on his feet, although I’m not entirely convinced that he knows where he is.

Anthony Joshua saddles over for a quick embrace and says: “Don’t leave boxing, you’re an inspiration, I’m proud of you. We’ll speak another time.”