Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Joshua knocked out his mandatory challenger, Russia’s Alexander Povetkin in the 7th round, to retain his WBA, (Super) IBF, WBO and IBO belts today at the Wembley Stadium.
Povetkin’s professional boxing career was stopped for the first time after he succumbed to a major punch from the 28-year old Joshua.
That an estimated 68,000 were present at Wembley Stadium – significantly fewer than the 90,000-strong crowd that attended last year’s victory over Wladimir Klitschko – demonstrated that, but he professionally overcame an opponent of ambition and class.
The 39-year-old Povetkin, like Joshua an Olympic gold medallist, had previously lost only to Klitschko and over the distance when the great Ukrainian was at his peak. Joshua capitalised on his aggression in a way that Klitschko could not, dropping him once before stopping him on his feet.
Joshua had spoken in the week of feeling “tons of pressure” to perform and the confirmation of the December 1 date for the higher-profile fight between Wilder and Fury will not have helped, but if he felt that pressure in the ring, it did not show.
With the physical advantages over an opponent who fought Klitschko on the same evening Joshua made his professional debut, it would have proved a significant upset had the champion secured anything other than his latest victory.
Joshua said after the bout, saying:
“Povetkin is a very tough challenger, he proved that tonight with good left hooks and counter punches.
I came in here to have fun, and give it my best,
I knew he was strong to the head but weak to the body. I was just mixing it up.
It could have been seven, maybe nine, maybe 12 rounds to get him out of there. But the ultimate aim was to be victorious
I got my knockout streak back.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn has been in the ring and talked up what is next for his fighter.
”Joshua is the one stepping up fighting these great fighters. He’s not an Instagram champion, he’s a real world champion. Our focus is on AJ being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
“He’ll keep delivering, he’s a special talent, he’s a role model, onwards and upwards. Povetkin is a world-class boxer.
“We’ll go away and negotiate with Wilder’s team again, who knows if Fury-Wilder will even happen?
“If it’s not Deontay Wilder, I think it’ll be Dillian Whyte here in April.”
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