Former WBA, WBO and IBF unified champion, Anthony Joshua of Nigeria and Britain delivered on his promise to make a powerful statement in the heavyweight division with a destructive second-round knockout of former UFC world heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou of Cameroon and France in Saudi Arabia, early Saturday morning.
The 34-year-old Joshua showed he meant business when he knocked down 37-year-old Ngannou in the first round.
The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist sent the former UFC champion to the canvas again early in the second round.
A dazed Ngannou bravely rose to his feet but Joshua stunned him with an explosive and formidable right hand moments later compelling the referee to stop the fight as the Cameroonian appeared to be unconscious before he even hit the floor and required medical treatment.
WBC champion, Tyson Fury who struggled to a controversial split decision win over Ngannou in October was at ringside watching the bout.
In his post match comments, Joshua said when he saw the fight between Ngannou and Fury, he told himself he wanted to take on the former UFC star.
He praised Ngannou for being a great champion and urged him not to quit boxing as the defeat takes nothing away from his capabilities.
He said Ngannou has had just two professional boxing matches and he fought the best.
The win is two-time world champion Joshua’s fourth in 11 months, and keeps alive his ambition of recapturing a world title.
Promoter, Eddie Hearn called for his fighter to face the winner of the uncoming unification fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
The pair will battle to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion in the four-belt era in May, with a rematch later in the year.