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Anthony Joshua has delivered some brutal knockouts - recap his best fights here

Brace yourself, you have been warned!

Photo by Russell Pritchard

Anthony Joshua became the IBF heavyweight champion in his most recent fight.

The Olympic gold medal winner took out American champion Charles Martin within two rounds to capture his maiden world title at The O2, and continue a frightening run of knockout wins.

We've looked back over his 16 KOs in 16 fights...

Debut delight

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Joshua's first professional opponent can't survive a round

At the O2 Arena, Joshua brutalised the helpless Emanuele Leo inside the first three minutes in a sign of things to come. Would his power translate to the professional game? What do you think? Joshua returns to the scene of this crime against Martin to vie for world honours three years later.

Second win on Brook's card

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Anthony Joshua's second fight didn't last much longer...

Fighting before Kell Brook's headline victory over Viacheslav Senchenko, a second pro win took less than two rounds as Paul Butlin was sent packing in Sheffield. Butlin, who had shared the ring with Dereck Chisora, Johnathan Banks and Lucas Browne, had no answer to Joshua's rapid-fire punching.

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Joshua wins at York Hall

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Hrvoje Kisicek was turned into a punch-bag by Joshua

Fighting at the iconic Bethnal Green location, the Olympic champion dwarfed and smashed his Croatian foe Hrvoje Kisicek, ending his night in the second round.

Dorian starched in Wales

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Dorian Darch was stopped in his hometown

Joshua pinned Dorian Darch onto the ropes before dismantling him in the second round as he competed in Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena. Joshua's British roadshow was beginning to gain momentum and he enjoyed a warm reception in Wales despite battering a local opponent.

Avila stopped in Scotland

Joshua received an incredible ovation as he stepped north of the border before putting away Hector Avila after a mere 134 seconds with a left counter shot. It was AJ's most dominant showing so far.

Legg work at Wembley

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Joshua lands a vicious uppercut to stop Matt Legg at Wembley

On the undercard to Carl Froch v George Groves II at Wembley Stadium, Joshua warmed up an excited crowd by uncorking a cracking uppercut to end his fight with less than two minutes on the clock. As he stood victorious in the sunshine, it was easy to imagine Joshua as a future headliner at the same location.

Skelton smashed onto the sidelines

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Watch Joshua make quick work of Matt Skelton

The 47-year-old Matt Skelton cheekily compared Joshua to Audley Harrison before their Liverpool bout but was made to pay for his words. He bravely got up after a second-round knock down but the referee soon jumped in - Skelton hasn't been seen since.

Airich makes it into the third round

This was as far as Joshua had been taken in his professional career - but the night ended painfully for Konstantin Airich. Joshua's powerful jab was a problem all night in Manchester but a bludgeoning straight right forced him against the ropes when it became a matter of time.

Denis sent Bak to Russia

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Watch Joshua knock out Denis Bakhtov

Joshua returned to the O2 Arena for the first time since his pro debut, and demonstrated his nasty streak as Denis Bakhtov fell at his feet. The brave Russian required treatment after somehow surviving the first round, but Joshua viciously grinned while delivering the finishing blow in the second.

Experienced Sprott falls early

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Joshua knocks out veteran Michael Sprott in the first round

The 39-year old Michael Sprott vowed his experience would be key, but couldn't get out of the first round. Joshua's 10th win was wrapped up as soon as his first straight right punch landed - Sprott wobbled onto the ropes and the job was quickly finished.

Joshua shows off nasty side

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Jason Gavern took Joshua further than anybody before but still lost via KO

He returned from injury in Newcastle to blitz his American foe Jason Gavern in three rounds. Check out the video of the stoppage - and keep an eye on the referee telling Joshua off for an arguaby illegal punch while Gavern was already floored. Gavern was able to take Joshua further than anybody previously but was flattened four times for his trouble.

AJ's trouble with Love

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Raphael Zumbano Love is sent flying in Birmingham

Joshua's Midlands debut came against Raphael Zumbano Love, a Brazilian billed as the South American champion. A straight right hand may have been Joshua's most destructive KO to date - check out the video of Love getting flattened. It was the alarming moment that signalled an immediate increase in Joshua's future competition.

Johnson handed a first stoppage

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Joshua became the first heavyweight to stop Kevin Johnson

Veteran American Kevin Johnson, who had never been stopped, was supposed to force Joshua into the later rounds. But he couldn't back up his trash talk and failed to land a single blow in a punishing four-minute wreckage.

Cornish pasted

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Gary Cornish couldn't get out of the first round

For the first time, Joshua opposed a fellow unbeaten, young contender. The Commonwealth champion from Scotland enjoyed a height advantage and insisted he wouldn't be bullied like previous foes. Joshua made a mockery of that claim, pounding Cornish to a halt in just 90 seconds to become Commonwealth champion.

Whyte place, right time

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Highlights of Anthony Joshua knocking out Dillian Whyte

Joshua's most competitive fight so far came last December in a bitter scrap with personal rival Dillian Whyte, who had beaten him in an amateur contest. Joshua almost finished the job inside a round but Whyte survived and caused a melee as the ring filled with both fighters' representatives. Whyte went on to land solid punches on Joshua, briefly wobbling him, but ultimately succumbed to a thrilling seventh-round KO.

First world title

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Check out Joshua's world title win here

Charles Martin came to London as an undefeated, southpaw champion with youth and size but was sent packing as merely another victim. Joshua landed a crisp straight right to drop Martin in the second round, and followed up with an identical shot to win the IBF heavyweight title.

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