Two-time world champion Anthony Joshua defeated Francis Ngannou in their much-anticipated boxing heavyweight fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The former heavyweight champion knocked out the Cameroonian after just two rounds to hand Ngannou his second straight defeat since his transition from UFC to heavyweight boxing after two rounds, leaving the star-studded spectators dazed.

The 37-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion was taking part in only his second professional boxing match having lost a split decision to Tyson Fury in October.

Joshua, a former unified WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion, went into the fight on the back of three successive wins.

Before that, however, he lost back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk, who will take on Fury for the undisputed heavyweight title in Saudi Arabia in May.

“I thought this fight was something for the broadcasters to get behind,” Joshua told broadcaster DAZN after his quickfire victory.

“When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury, I thought, ‘I want some of that’. He is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities.

“I told (Ngannou) not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he fought the best.”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn immediately rekindled the talk of a mega-fight with Fury or a rematch with Usyk.

“You’re looking at the number one heavyweight in the world,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.

“On this form, there is no man that can beat him. Tyson Fury, please beat Usyk, because you will get the biggest fight in the history of the sport.

“He destroyed Francis Ngannou. He’s a beast and I cannot wait for him to beat Tyson Fury.”