In the initial round and early moments of the second, 34-year-old Joshua dominated the former UFC champion, leaving them floored.

In Riyadh, a disoriented Ngannou managed to stand up, but shortly thereafter, he was struck by a powerful and formidable right, prompting the referee to stop the contest. The 37-year-old seemed to be unconscious even before hitting the mat, necessitating medical attention.

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

In October, Fury faced a challenging bout against Ngannou, getting knocked down by the boxing newcomer before securing a narrow victory on points.

"When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought 'I want some of that' is a great champion and this doesn't take anything away from his capabilities," said Joshua.

"I told him not to leave boxing. He's two fights in and he's fought the best."

The card ran over an hour behind schedule, and at 03:20 local time, master of ceremonies Michael Buffer presented Ngannou in the ring.

Draped in a pink and white robe adorned with gold tassels, Ngannou strolled down the aisle solo, guided by the rhythm of 'God's Plan' by Drake. On the opposite side, a focused Joshua confidently made his way to the ring, where he knelt down, uttering a prayer in his corner.

Amid a cacophony of boos and jeers, Joshua garnered the most pronounced reaction. Unfazed, he kept his focus fixed on Ngannou.

The beginning of the match proved nearly flawless for the Watford-born fighter. Despite Ngannou narrowly avoiding a lead left hand, Joshua remained cool and collected.

AJ expertly executed a backhand extension, delivering a precise right down the pipe. In accomplishing the feat of flooring Ngannou within three minutes, he achieved in a fraction of the time what eluded Fury over 10 rounds just four months prior.

At the count of eight, Ngannou, visibly dazed, managed to endure the remaining moments of the round.

Over the recent years, Joshua has evolved into a more strategic fighter, refining his technical prowess. He amplified his jab, exercised patience, and seized the opportune moment.

Ngannou found himself on the canvas once again after absorbing another powerful right hand. Though he managed to beat the count just in time, the inevitable outcome was evident.

Ngannou found himself on the canvas once again after absorbing another powerful right hand. Though he managed to beat the count just in time, the inevitable outcome was evident.

The conclusive punch is destined to claim the spotlight in upcoming highlights reels of Joshua's knockout prowess.

Joshua's extensive background as a well-trained amateur, marked by Olympic gold, and his status as a two-time world champion with victories against top contenders in the division, clearly establishes his advantage.

The spectacle of Saudi boxing unfolded, although overshadowed by critics who assert that the Kingdom leverages high-profile sporting events to mitigate its human rights image.

Although not as star-studded as previous events in the region, former champions Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao mingled with notable figures such as football manager Jose Mourinho and Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo.

Despite being promoted as 'knockout chaos,' the Saudi audience, in their typical fashion, maintained a calm and orderly demeanor. Joshua was under pressure to send a message to his rival Fury. Enduring heightened scrutiny in recent years, Joshua recognized the significant influence of trainer Ben Davison.

The question of whether Ngannou heeds Joshua's counsel and makes a swift return to the sport remains uncertain, but the 'Predator' has a track record of triumph, whether it's in life, the UFC octagon, or a boxing ring.

While the childhood aspiration of becoming a boxing world champion may remain unrealized, Ngannou is poised to make a return to MMA later this year with the PFL, eager to pursue his next opponent.

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