Joshua takes out Ngannou with crushing KO finish

Anthony Joshua scored a spectacular knockout of Francis Ngannou in Round 2, a right hand that landed clean on the former UFC heavyweight champion’s chin and rendered him unconscious.

After Ngannou regained his senses, ringside officials administered oxygen to the 37-year-old, who was boxing for just the second time.

Joshua floored Ngannou in the opening round with a right hand, and when he beat the count, he appeared to be unsteady. The former boxing heavyweight champion produced another knockdown in Round 2, an equilibrium shot that connected on Ngannou’s left ear.

Moments after Ngannou rose from the second knockdown, Joshua planted him on the canvas for good with a perfectly placed straight right that landed flush. Ngannou’s leg bent awkwardly under him as all 272 ½ pounds of the MMA fighter fell to the canvas in a heap.

“On the route to the championship you should always stay focused,” Joshua said after the fight. “This was me stepping aside from that mission.”