In a clash that promised fireworks, Anthony Joshua delivered an emphatic reminder of his heavyweight pedigree by demolishing Francis Ngannou with a brutal second-round knockout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event, billed as “Knockout Chaos,” lived up to its name — but only for Joshua, who wasted little time in asserting his dominance. After an intense buildup and a card that ran well into the early hours, Joshua made the wait worthwhile with a clinical and devastating performance against the former UFC heavyweight king.

From the opening bell, Joshua showcased the poise and precision honed under trainer Ben Davison. Ngannou, entering just his second professional boxing bout, showed flashes of danger early, narrowly missing with a lead hand. But Joshua’s experience and timing told the story. A sharp right hand in the first round sent Ngannou sprawling to the canvas, a feat Tyson Fury could not achieve in their meeting months earlier.

The second round spelled the end. Joshua, composed yet predatory, dropped Ngannou again with a pinpoint shot to the ear. Although the Cameroonian powerhouse bravely rose to beat the count, the writing was on the wall. Moments later, a thunderous right hand from Joshua closed the show in savage fashion, leaving Ngannou unconscious before he even hit the canvas. Medical staff rushed to his aid as Joshua celebrated another career-defining knockout.

At 34, Joshua’s ambitions of reclaiming world championship gold remain very much alive. This victory marks his fourth in under a year, a clear resurgence after previous setbacks against Oleksandr Usyk. With Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk set to crown an undisputed champion later this year, Joshua has positioned himself perfectly to challenge the winner in a massive showdown.

Meanwhile, Ngannou, 0-2 in his boxing ventures, remains a compelling figure. His journey from humble beginnings in Cameroon to UFC stardom and now high-profile boxing matches captures the spirit of a true fighter. Though a boxing world title might now be out of reach, his next chapter, expected to unfold back in MMA with the PFL, promises more thrilling moments.

As the Saudi crowd watched history unfold, Joshua’s devastating finish sent a clear message: the former champion is not done yet. If anything, he’s just getting started again.