Anthony Joshua overcomes 'tough challenger' Alexander Povetkin
BySportsbeat
Updated 23/09/2018 at 13:04 GMT
Anthony Joshua retained his world heavyweight titles with a devastating seventh-round stoppage of Russian Alexander Povetkin. Mandatory challenger Povetkin had never been stopped in his career but could not deal with the onslaught from Joshua in the second half of the fight.
: Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin trade punches during the IBF, WBA Super, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Championship title fight between Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium on September 22, 2018 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist knocked him down with a powerful range of punches that left the Russian in serious trouble but he managed to get up and the Brit continued his onslaught of punches before referee Steve Gray stepped in and Joshua extended his unbeaten professional record to 22-0.
Joshua said: "Alexander Povetkin is very tough challenger and he proved that tonight but I came in here to have fun, do what I've been working on in the gym and I did that.
"I knew he was weak to the head, it could have took seven, nine maybe ten rounds but all my goal tonight was to be successful.
These shorter guys are very good coming through the middle.
"It's about developing and I am in this game to win it and to learn. April 13 [the date of his next fight] is what I am interested in."
Povetkin had the better of the opening rounds and caught Joshua at the end of the first – wobbling the Brit at the bell.
And a shot to the nose left Joshua with heavy bleeding and made it tough to breathe.
But the Brit composed himself as the rounds went on and started to find his range and was moving well around the ring.
Athens 2004 Olympic super-heavyweight champion Povetkin was caught with a shot above the eye that caused a nasty cut – but the Russian remained a dangerous threat throughout.
By the seventh round Joshua was on top and hit Povetkin with a huge trademark right that sent the Russian reeling backwards and Joshua pounced on him to send him down to the canvas.
Povetkin managed to somehow get up and to his feet but it was to no avail as Joshua proved his worth as a top-class finisher and landed blow after blow until eventually referee Gray stepped in an called a halt to the fight.
Joshua’s next fight will be on April 13 back at Wembley Stadium and while WBC title holder Deontay Wilder remains the favourite, a domestic dust-up with Tyson Fury or a re-match with Dillian Whyte are also on the cards.
But for now, Joshua can relax knowing he has extended his unbeaten record to 22 fights and held onto his IBF, WBO and WBA belts.
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