Joshua knocks out Ngannou in the second round of the Riyadh showdown

Anthony Joshua defeated former MMA fighter Francis Ngannou in the second round of their heavyweight fight in Riyadh with a stunning display of pure power.

Ngannou shocked the world by flooring Tyson Fury in October before losing a controversial split decision, and he was hoping for a similar result against former two-time world champion Joshua.

The Cameroonian started well, threatening with a left hook before partially landing a looping right, but was stunned by Joshua's straight right, which sent him to the canvas in a dramatic first round.

In the second round, both men came out swinging. Joshua ducked under a jab to make room for another powerful right before the same shot floored Ngannou for the second time.

The former UFC champion rose to his feet and continued, but Joshua finished the fight in spectacular fashion, marching forward and unleashing a right hand that knocked Ngannou out cold.

It was AJ's fourth win in a row after two losses, and it set up a potential future fight with the winner of May's unification bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.

When asked about his recent improvement, Joshua told DAZN that it was due to the Ben Davison Performance Centre "I appreciate all the guys I’ve worked with and that have shaped me."

"I’m still learning, I’m still pushing, I’m just hungry."

"I’ll speak to my team but I’m just here to fight. Whatever they want me to do I’m down for whatever."

Asked if he hoped that was either Usyk or Fury for all the belts, he added: “Yes it is.”

SportsLigue