Anthony Joshua has secured a stunning knockout victory over Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
The two-time heavyweight champion floored the Cameroonian with a devastating right hand in the first round.
Another shuddering shot sent the Cameroonian to the mat once again in the second with Joshua ending the show moments later with a highlight reel finish – perhaps the biggest knockout of his career – that brings him to the brink of a third world title shot.
Ngannou was briefly left motionless on the canvas and required treatment before getting to his feet.
Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, defied all expectations on his professional boxing debut last October against Tyson Fury, knocking down ‘The Gypsy King’ in the third round only to lose the fight on a controversial split decision.
Joshua however asserted his dominance from the opening bell and scored another huge win in what was his fourth fight in under a year.
The winner of tonight’s bout has been promised a fight against the winner of Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, who meet in their historic undisputed heavyweight title fight on 18 May for all four world title belts.
Joshua’s win sets up the thrilling prospect of a long-awaited ‘Battle of Britian’ against Fury, or the chance for redemption against Usyk.
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