Two-time world champion Anthony Joshua knocked out mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou in just the second round of their widely-hyped heavyweight clash on Saturday, with his promoter quickly declaring him the division’s “number one” fighter.

Joshua had his Cameroonian opponent on the canvas in the first round and twice more in the second in a brutal and brief exhibition of punching power.

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.

The fight only got under way at 3:30 am local time (0030 GMT), but weary fans enjoyed a sensational start when Joshua quickly sent Ngannou to the canvas in the opening round with a brutal right to the chin.

It got worse for the Cameroonian when he was knocked down again in the second round, just managing to beat the count.

His resistance lasted only a few more moments after he was sent to the canvas again for the third and final time.

Following Joshua’s victory, netizens have hailed him as ‘a true champion.’

@drsakintayo wrote “It doesn’t matter how many times you fall, it’s about your ability to rise up again! “ Bouncerkability “ is very Key. Congratulations to @anthonyjoshua, you are indeed a true champion. You have kept your head down in recent times training and reinventing yourself. You deserve this Win. God bless you Bro!! What a big whooping of @francisngannou”

@nnadi_belu said, ” It’s YEARS of HARDWORK paying off Anthony Joshua atruechampion”

@nelsonhands20 wrote,  “This one no be Cho Cho Cho, Anthony Joshua don show workings. Naija to the world” 

@RObatolu said, “Underestimate a warrior at your peril. Respect to a true champion @anthonyjoshua”

@copiouscore, “Massive congratulations champ 🥊🥊 True great champion. I have not seen KO like this for many years! Such power! As for our African friend Francis Ngannou, less talk now! One win is a fluke! You’ve a long way to go!”

@Olawale43908971 wrote, “Joshua saved heavyweight boxing from embarrassment and shame from MMA. It’s not about the belts but the man. No wonder he didn’t want to fight Njanou initially. He already knew the results. Joshua to the world. what a true champion”