Anthony Joshua knocks out boastful Ngannou in second round

Anthony Joshua, a British-Nigerian heavyweight puncher, made the most potent message in the heavyweight division minutes ago with a devastating second-round knockout win over Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua, 34, stunned the UFC champion in the first and early second rounds.

A confused Ngannou climbed to his feet in Riyadh, only to be shocked by an explosive and devastating right as the referee halted the action.

The 37-year-old seemed to be out before he ever touched the canvas and needed medical attention.

"I'm going back to my cage, and when they let me out, I'll fight again," Joshua declared while WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury watched from ringside.

Fury fought hard against Ngannou in October, when he was dropped by the newcomer before winning on points.

"When I witnessed Tyson Fury's bout, I thought, 'I want some of that'. [Ngannou] is a fantastic champion, and this in no way diminishes his ability," Joshua added.

"I advised him not to leave boxing. He's two fights in and has battled the best.

Joshua's fourth victory in 11 months keeps his dream of reclaiming the world title alive.

Eddie Hearn requested that Joshua, whom he has promoted throughout the heavyweight's professional career, face the winner of Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

The fight will take place in May to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion, with a rematch scheduled for later in the year.

"In five years, I won't be fighting," Joshua stated. "Eddie Hearn and my team will shape my future."

With the card running over an hour later than expected, master of ceremonies Michael Buffer introduced Ngannou to the ring at 03:20 local time.

Ngannou walked down the aisle alone, dressed in a pink and white robe with gold tassels, to Drake's song 'God's Plan'.

A frown Joshua strutted confidently into the ring, looking full of purpose. He kneeled in his corner and recited a prayer.

Joshua had the loudest reaction, a combination of boos and jeers. He seemed unfazed, his gaze fixed solidly on Ngannou.

And it was a nearly flawless start for the Watford-born fighter. Ngannou almost missed with a lead left hand, but Joshua stayed calm and composed.

AJ used his backhand to land a flush directly down the pipe. By defeating Ngannou in three minutes, he accomplished what Fury had failed to do in ten rounds four months earlier.

A stunned Ngannou stood up on the count of eight and finished the round.

Joshua has grown as a fighter in recent years, polishing his technical skills. He doubled his jab, bided his time, and waited for an opportunity.

Another right hand had Ngannou yelling on the floor. He beat the count just in time, but the outcome was inevitable.

The final strike was unquestionably the highlight of Joshua's knockouts.

Joshua, a well-schooled amateur with Olympic gold and two world championship victories against some of the best in the division, dominates the early hours in Riyadh.

The razzmatazz of Saudi boxing was on display, albeit against the backdrop of critics alleging that the Kingdom is using high-profile athletic events to'sports wash' its human rights records.

While it was not as star-studded as previous events in the region, former champions Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao met football manager Jose Mourinho and Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo.

The card was advertised as 'knockout mayhem,' but the Saudi crowd, as usual, remained quiet and orderly.

The burden was on Joshua to send a message to rival Fury. Joshua, a fighter who has endured severe scrutiny in recent years, recognised the importance of trainer Ben Davison.

Davison was in Joshua's corner for the second round, having previously witnessed December's overwhelming victory over Otto Wallin.

"I didn't mean to disrespect Ngannou, but he'd never been hit by someone like AJ before," Davison told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'll let others decide whether he's progressing. The only way to figure out who is the best is to determine the winner between Fury and Usyk. "That is the only thing that makes sense."

Whether Ngannou takes Joshua's advise and returns to the sport anytime soon remains to be seen, but the 'Predator' is a proven victor in life, the UFC octagon, and the boxing ring.

Before becoming a UFC champion, he worked in a sand quarry in Cameroon at the age of 12 and lived on the streets of Paris.

Although his childhood dream of being a boxing world champion may never come true, Ngannou plans to return to MMA later this year with the PFL in search of his next opponent.