What's Next for Joshua and Ngannou After Brit's Impressive KO

However, when the Cameroonian dropped and very nearly stopped the WBC heavyweight king, those same critics went awfully quiet. Anthony Joshua, fresh off a blistering knockout victory against Otto Wallin, decided that the Predator deserved another chance at the summit of heavyweight boxing and he too chose to fight with the PFL-signed star.

However, this time around, there would be no controversial split decisions. AJ brutally dropped Ngannou in the opening round before a vicious right hand in the third rendered the MMA star unconscious and flattened to the canvas. Of course many will say that had the bout taken place inside of a cage, there would only be one victor. But ultimately, both men knew the rules of the bout they agreed to, and Ngannou won't mind one bit when he pockets an expected $20m in contrast to the $600k he received for his final UFC fight.

But in the days following the Riyadh-hosted showcase, attention has turned to what's next for both men. So, let's take a look and attempt to predict the immediate future for both Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou.

The Aftermath: Joshua's Triumph

Anthony Joshua's victory over Francis Ngannou has not only solidified his position as one of the premier heavyweights in boxing but also raised intriguing questions about what lies ahead for the British star. With this win, Joshua has once again proven his mettle and demonstrated that he can adapt and excel against opponents from diverse fighting backgrounds. And perhaps, most importantly, his redemption tour continues to pick up steam.

When he was defeated for the second straight time by Usyk - also in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - many speculated that his career at the top was finished and that he should hang up his gloves. However, Joshua knew that there was plenty left in the tank, and partnering up with Ben Davison - former trainer of the Gypsy King and the man who probably knows his flaws the best - has given the former heavyweight champion his killer instinct back. The stoppage victory against Ngannou is AJ's third straight knockout win.

He ruthlessly dispatched heavyweight contender Robert Helenius in seven rounds last August before forcing Otto Wallin to quit last December. Many thought that he would face off against Deontay Wilder in a highly anticipated clash years in the making but the Bronze Bomber's shock defeat to Joseph Parker ended those plans. Now, he has his sights set on gold once more.

The obvious and most expected answer is facing the winner of the Fury vs Usyk undisputed clash scheduled to take place in May. Popular boxing odds have made the Brit a narrow -120 favorite for that tear up, and should he live up to the billing, then a blockbuster all-British affair should be in the offing. However, should the Ukrainian get the victory, a third clash between him and AJ is a much harder sell to the paying public.

Ngannou's Future Endeavors 

For Francis Ngannou, the defeat at the hands of Anthony Joshua marks a pivotal moment in his combat sports journey. Transitioning from the Octagon to the boxing ring was a bold move for the Cameroonian fighter, one that showcased his ambition and willingness to challenge himself against the best in the world. And initially, it went well with his impressive performance against the Gypsy King.

Despite that initial loss, Ngannou's stock didn't necessarily plummet. His performance against one of boxing's elite heavyweights, despite being relatively inexperienced in the sport, has earned him respect and admiration from fans and pundits. The question now is, following this brutal knockout loss rather than a controversial decision, where does Ngannou go from here?

Both Joshua and former rival Fury have urged him to remain in the world of boxing rather than return to the cage. Whether he actually does that or not remains to be seen. He has been receiving much bigger paydays inside the squared circle however, he is signed to the PFL and he will be expected to fulfil his contractual obligations sooner rather than later. The aforementioned Wilder is an option should he remain in boxing, with the former WBC champ also expressing his willingness to do battle in the cage.

The one fight that all combat sports fans want to see is a clash against current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. However, with Jonny Bones signed to the UFC and Ngannou with the PFL, an agreement could be hard to reach. Respected journalist Ariel Helwani has stated previously that in theory, there should be nothing standing between a co-promotion. Nothing except Dana White and the UFC's ego, anyway.