A scrappy start to the second round sees Vargas take a knee but he is bundled over — rather than knocked over — by Ball. Vargas gets back to his feet and the pair come together in a tangle of limbs once again, but this time Ball lands a good — and legal — uppercut on the break.

Ball is making this very difficult for Vargas. He’s getting rough on the inside and is also ducking down when he defends himself, making Vargas stretch all the way down to land his shots. It’s a slightly bizarre spectacle but it’s an intriguing one.

Anthony Joshua faces Francis Ngannou knowing a statement victory could open up one of the most exciting periods in his career as he targets becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion; watch Joshua face Ngannou live on Sky Sports Box Office on Friday March 8.

Whether relaunch or retaliation, his renewed pursuit of boxing’s pinnacle resumes in less orthodox circumstances on Friday when he pits his knockout exploits against that of former UFC star Francis Ngannou. A stoppage victory beckons as the latest statement on his targeted route back to heavyweight glory, while threatening a sharp jab to the Tyson Fury tale in light of the Gypsy King’s uncomfortable encounter with Ngannou late last year.

Ngannou wanted the biggest and the best were he to sacrifice UFC supremacy for his childhood dreams of stepping inside the ring. So he came to Fury and now he comes to Joshua, the latter of whom’s influence as a beacon of his era has helped sell yet more historic crossover combat in Saudi Arabia’s heavyweight playground.

The career of Ngannou has unfolded minus the burden of expectation such is his underdog background, while in contrast there may be no British fighter of the last decade that has shouldered as much pressure to succeed as Joshua during his gold-medal-springboarded rise to fame.

The event will start at 4pm, Friday March 8 on Sky Sports Box Office (Sky channel 491) and Sky Sports Box Office HD (Sky channel 492).

The event is priced at £19.95 for Sky customers in the UK, €24.95 for Sky customers in the Republic of Ireland up until midnight on Thursday March 7.

Thereafter £19.95/€24.95 across all “self-service” bookings (remote control/online) or £24.95 / €29.95 if booked via the phone (either IVR or agent) but note an additional £2 booking fee if via an agent will apply.

The event price will revert back to £19.95 / €24.95 (ROI) from midnight Friday March 8.

Two repeat showings (full duration) will be shown at 6am and 4pm on Saturday March 9.

Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou believes that Anthony Joshua’s nerves could help him in their upcoming fight.

Ngannou is set to face Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, in his second professional boxing match in less than two weeks. His debut last October saw him surprise many by knocking Tyson Fury down and only losing by one point in a decision that sparked debate.

Fury had tried to rattle Ngannou before their fight by making fun of his body and calling him a “sausage” multiple times. However, Joshua has taken a different approach, saying that despite Ngannou only having one boxing match under his belt, this crossover fight is the biggest challenge he has ever faced.