WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua has retained his titles by knocking out challenger, Alexander Povetkin in the seventh round.
The 28-year-old Briton beat his 39-year-old Russian challenger at London’s Wembley Stadium where 68,000 spectators gathered.
With the victory, Joshua takes his record of professional wins to 22 out of 22 fights, with 21 knockouts.
Povetkin, who is an Olympic gold medallist like Joshua, suffered only the second defeat of his career against the Brit, with his first being at the hands of Ukrainian, Wladimir Klitschko.
Speaking after his victory, Joshua said, “First and foremost Wembley, thank you so much.
“Povetkin is a very tough challenger. He proved that with good left hooks, counter punches. I realised he was strong to the head but weak to the body. Every jab slowed him down. These shorter guys are very strong coming through the middle but tonight’s out the way.”
Also speaking, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn said his next fight could be against either Deontay Wilder or Dillian Whyte in April 2019.
He said, “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 (WBC heavyweight champion) Deontay Wilder, I think it’ll be Dillian Whyte here in April.
“Tonight is out of the way, let’s figure out what is happening on April 13.
“I’m not too bothered, good luck to the both of them but let’s see who comes out on top and hopefully we’ll have a good dust-up on April 13.”