Anthony Joshua MBE landed the IBF World Heavyweight title with a brutal second round KO win over Charles Martin at The O2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
In front of a sold-out crowd at fever pitch in Greenwich, Joshua began with his trademark blistering speed and power in the opening round, rocking the unbeaten champion with solid shots.
The Olympic hero then exploded a counter right hand flush on the chin of Martin to seat the American. Martin gingerly rose to his feet inside ten seconds but Joshua repeated the trick moments later, and this time Martin failed to beat the count and after 92 seconds of the second round, Joshua was crowned IBF World Heavyweight champion.
“It is only a quarter of the way there,” said Joshua. “I am not going to get too carried away because there is a lot of work to be done. I have to keep on improving because I have people like Haye calling me out, Tyson Fury calling me out, all of them.
“I need to improve if I am going to maintain and keep pushing at a higher level. Every fight the atmosphere gets better, and better and better. The people here are coming out to support myself and all of the other British fighters on the undercard.
“I come to knock people out, I want to give value for money and I really do appreciate everybody because there were times when we were training in Finchley ABC when nobody cared and I have been grinding my way here. I appreciate the ongoing support time and time again.
“Every Heavyweight has got power but it is about speed and precision, locking in and staying focused. A few months ago I was in here with Dillian Whyte having a great scrap – that was one for the fans, this was one for myself. I told you I was going to come out and punish him, I told you I would show him levels and this is the reward of it.