Anthony Joshua is the king of boxing, Britain and the world after stunning win
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Updated 30/04/2017 at 08:38 GMT
Anthony Joshua cemented his place in history on an incredible evening at Wembley writes Pete Sharland
Anthony Joshua celebrates with his team following victory over Wladimir Klitschko
Image credit: Getty Images
'He's never been tested.'
'His chin can't handle it.'
'Klitschko has too much experence.'
'This is too early for him.'
In the build-up to his fight with Wladimir Klitschko Anthony Joshua heard it all.
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The hype and demand around this fight was incredible, unlike anything the world of boxing had seen since the heyday of Lewis, Tyson and Holyfield and despite the British public's overwhelming confidence in Joshua there were plenty of doubters.
Joshua's previous 18 fights since turning professional had all ended in him stopping his opponent, and every time it was argued that he wasn't fighting opponents of sufficient calibre. Joshua didn't care. He just kept smiling and kept on punching, beating all before him.
And it was that boyish smile that came out again, admittedly this time looking a bit worse for wear after a clash of epic proportions, as he lapped in the acclaim of the 90,000 at Wembley, who at one stage after a fierce blow from Klitschko in the sixth thought their hero might have been finished.
Yet back he came, telling trainer Rob McCracken that he was taking a break in the seventh, only to see Klitschko start to see out the fight using all his experience.
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Anthony Joshua (White Shorts) and Wladimir Klitschko (Gray Shorts) in action during the IBF, WBA and IBO Heavyweight World Title bout at Wembley Stadium on April 29, 2017 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Then it happened, a punch with so much force you could feel the reverberations. That incredible uppercut will be shown around the world into the night, Sunday morning and for the days and weeks to come. It may not have been the punch that caused the referee to call a halt to proceedings, but it was undeniably the punch that ended the fight.
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Anthony Joshua
Image credit: Getty Images
That Joshua was ahead on two scorecards at the time of the stoppage is misleading. Don't be fooled; Joshua had to produce something superhuman at a time when it looked like the wily old fox had pulled off one last great trick, and that is exactly what he did.
For the record Joshua retains his IBF title and claims the WBA 'super' belt but those are just words.
This represents something bigger than boxing for Joshua, there can now be no doubt that he is the greatest British sportsperson right now, and one day we could be discussing where he ranks in the all-time list.
The only person who even comes close right now is Andy Murray but his 2017 has started so poorly that boisterous Brummy Dan Evans might be a more realistic challenger...
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Anthony Joshua
Image credit: Getty Images
Joking aside Murray's achievements in 2016 shouldn't be overlooked and neither will be what he inevitably goes on to achieve in the coming years, but with Joshua it feels different. Perhaps it's the fact that heavyweight boxing champion of the world is still a globally more appealing title than the world number one in tennis. Perhaps it's simply nothing more than the magical powers of Eddie Hearn and his hype machine.
There's something intrinsically special about Joshua. Maybe it's the way he genuinely bonds with the British people, who adore the man who still lives with his mum in Golders Green and whose humbleness is never in doubt.
Whatever it is he's captured the public's imagination in a way that Murray hasn't yet been able to, and in truth no sportsperson really has for some time.
The scary thing is that he's only just getting started; in many ways this was Joshua's coming of age fight.
He will go on to dominate the sporting hemisphere for the next five, 10, possibly 15 years, such is his talent.
And it was Saturday night, the moment when it all changed. The prospect became the champion, the lad from Watford became the ruler of his sport, the prince became the king.
What next for the king?
There are two obvious fights next up for Joshua. He can either face Tyson Fury, who beat Klitschko all those months ago, or the American Deontay Wilder, who has 38 straight wins, 37 of which are by knockout.
After the fight Joshua was big on the possibility of fighting Fury.
"Tyson Fury, where you at baby? Come on, is that what you want to see? I enjoy fighting. I love fighting. Tyson Fury I know he has been talking a lot and wants to come back and compete. I want to give 90,000 people another chance to come back and watch some boxing here,"
The truth is that it doesn't matter any more.
Joshua is the biggest name in boxing and one of the biggest names in the world of sport.
Wilder and Fury would both be lucky to face Joshua and in truth they would be lucky to come out of a bout with their chins intact.
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Anthony Joshua Vladimir Klitschko
Image credit: Getty Images
Neither have shown anything recently (Fury hasn't fought since Klitschko 17 months ago) to suggest they could live with Joshua, who has proven himself against one of the greatest of all-time.
They'll both present tests in their own way, Fury in particular could pose real problems if he's in shape, but nothing like the test Joshua's right hand presents.
If anyone is going to unify the belts, it is going to be Joshua.
And Klitschko?
Klitschko is one of sport's great gentlemen. The respect between himself and Joshua was clear for all to see and the fact that Klitschko was so much better on Saturday night than against Fury demonstrates how he felt he needed to be at his best.
Even at the age of 41 Klitschko showed that he too deserves a place in the pantheon of the greats and if he were to retire there would be no shame; he did himself justice in this fight.
That is for him to decide though. He will be disappointed with this result but he can be proud of the part he played in this incredible story.
History shouldn't, and won't, forget what Klitschko has achieved in his career, and for the grace with which he conducted himself. Joshua is his true heir out of the ring as well as inside it.
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Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko show eachother respect after the IBF, WBA and IBO Heavyweight World Title bout at Wembley Stadium on April 29, 2017 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
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