Dana White gives brutal Francis Ngannou verdict after the former UFC star suffered a brutal second round knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua

Dana White has given his reaction after former UFC star Francis Ngannou suffered a second-round knockout against Anthony Joshua as he continues his bid to cross over into boxing.

Ngannou had raised expectations after an impressive boxing debut against Tyson Fury in October.

The Cameroonian sensationally knocked down the WBC world heavyweight champion before losing a split decision.

However, Ngannou’s second visit to the boxing ring ended in brutal fashion when he was sent to the canvas three times by Joshua, who earned a second-round knockout victory.

White, speaking after UFC 299, gave a blunt assessment of Ngannou’s performance and suggested the former UFC star had benefited from Fury being unfit for his boxing debut.

Joshua finished the fight with a knockout in the second round of the boxing fight in Riyadh.

Ngannou was knocked to the canvas three times in two rounds before the fight ended.

“If Fury was training for the fight and didn’t show up and looked like he ate Tyson Fury, that’s probably the way the fight would have ended as well,” White said.

‘Listen, you know how I feel about crossovers with boxing.

“That’s how they end, just like that.”

Ngannou left the UFC last January despite reportedly turning down an offer that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight of all time.

The fighter was released by the organization and stripped of his heavyweight belt after making the decision not to renew his contract with the promotion.

Ngannou has now landed two money-making heavyweight fights since switching to boxing, but the nature of his loss to Joshua has raised doubts over whether he will be able to make a successful crossover.

Joshua had put the 37-year-old on the canvas with about a minute left in the round, beating the count by nine and returning to his feet to see out the final 40 seconds.

However, when he was knocked down again in the second round, there seemed little chance of Ngannou continuing, and after struggling to get back up, he was quickly knocked out by a big right hand that ended the fight in Joshua’s favor.

Ngannou had raised expectations after knocking down Tyson Fury in his boxing debut.

White claimed Ngannou would have suffered the same fate if Fury had been in good condition.

Ngannou required oxygen in the ring while being treated by medics immediately afterwards, before recovering to leave the ring unassisted.

Despite the brutal nature of his loss to Joshua, Ngannou insisted he will continue to seek success in the ring.

“You can be sure I’m not done here,” Ngannou said after the fight.

“It wasn’t my day, he was much better than me today.

“It sucks, but it’s the game.” We all know that.’

Joshua has also offered his support for Ngannou to continue in boxing.

“You are an inspiration,” Joshua said.

‘You will beat a lot of people. Don’t leave boxing. Don’t leave boxing.

“If you need anything, let me know, but we’ll talk another time.”