Joshua KOs Martin to win IBF heavyweight title (VIDEO)

Anthony Joshua defeated Charles Martin inside two rounds to win their IBF world heavyweight title fight at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night.

Briton Joshua floored his American opponent with a right-hand one minute into the second round, and followed up with another knockdown shortly after, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

The win takes Joshua to a professional record of 16-0, with all 16 of his wins coming by way of knockout.

Title-holder Martin came into the fight in confident mood, having claimed the vacant IBF belt in January by defeating Vyacheslav Glazkov via a third-round TKO.

The 29-year-old was on a run of 24 fights unbeaten, and entered the ring in extravagant style, bedecked in a crown and flowing regal robe.

His performance, however, was far from royal, and although many had fancied the American to trouble the less-experienced Joshua, the bout proved one-sided.

The 26-year-old Londoner’s power was simply too much for defending champion Martin, who failed to make any impression during the fight.

Joshua started cautiously, but soon found his range and began to work away at Martin, landing several big shots that unsettled the American.  

By the middle of round two it was all over. A big right-hand from Joshua sent Martin to the canvas, and although he survived the count, he was sent crashing back down to the floor seconds later by another powerful right. This time he didn't make the count, and the referee ended the fight to hand the Brit the title.  

Joshua won the super-heavyweight gold at the London Olympics in 2012, and becomes only the third man in history to hold a professional heavyweight title at the same time as being a reigning Olympic champion – joining the legendary Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks.  

He has rushed to the title in double-quick time, and the win now sets him up for a potential all-British superfight against current WBO, IBO and WBA title-holder Tyson Fury, who defeated Wladimir Klitschko last November.  

Fury’s camp recently announced that their man will face Klitschko in a rematch in the Briton's hometown of Manchester on July 9, but should Fury come through that successfully, a matchup against Joshua would surely be on the cards.

READ MORE: Fury-Klitschko rematch confirmed for July 9 in Manchester – reports

The verbal sparring with Fury had already started before Joshua's bout on Saturday, with the pair trading barbs in the lead-up to the fight. 

Afterwards, Fury weighed in to claim that should the fight with Joshua materialize, he would "slay" him.

The bout would be a blockbuster, and would capture the imagination not only of the British public, but of the wider boxing world.