Anthony Joshua produced a superb performance in Riyadh, Saturday morning by knocking out former MMA fighter Francis Ngannou in just the second round of their heavyweight clash.
Joshua landed heavy punches on the crossover heavyweight boxer to ensure he kissed the canvass early enough, just under six minutes into the bout.
It would be recalled that Ngannou shocked the world when he pushed Tyson Fury all the way in their bout last October, but was destroyed this time around by Joshua who put him down three times with right hands, the last of which prompting an end to the contest with Ngannou unconscious.
The Cameroonian started well and threatened with the left hook before partially landing a looping right but he was stunned by a straight right from Joshua that sent him to the canvas in a dramatic opening round.
Both men came out swinging in the second. Joshua ducked under a jab to find a home for another strong right before the same shot floored Ngannou for the second time.
The former UFC champion returned to his feet and carried on but Joshua ended the contest in incredible fashion, marching forward and unleashing a right hand that knocked Ngannou out cold.
It was a fourth successive win for AJ following back-to-back losses and set up a potential future showdown with the winner of May’s unification bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Fury.
Joshua, however, silenced the doubters, outboxing Ngannou throughout the two rounds and he made a statement like he promised with a knockout win inside just five minutes of their fight.
The Cameroonian boxer needed a doctor after he was knocked out and received oxygen at the corner of the ring before he stood back up.