By Nigerian-born British boxer, Anthony Joshua has defeated Ukrainian boxer Wladmir Klitschko to become the WBA and IBF heavyweight champion.
Joshua took his bout records to 19-0 after he did well to knock out his towering opponent in the 11th round after showing signs of weakness earlier in presence of 90,000 fans present at the Wembley, London.
Joshua had appeared to be struggling in the sixth round after he was sent crashing for the first time in his illustrious career which had sent a shocking wave among the crowd. But as he continued in subsequent rounds before he eventually knocked out Klitschko in the eleventh round.
After the fight, delighted Joshua said, “What can I say? 19-0, three and a half years in the game. As I said, I’m not perfect but I’m trying and if you don’t take part you’re going to fail.”
The 27-year-old British boxer however gave a massive shout out to Wladmir Klitschko as he said the boxing states that leave your ego at the door and respect and your opponent.
“I hope you enjoyed the fight, the best man won tonight. And it is an amazing event for boxing. Two gentlemen fought each other and he was better today,” said Klitschko who turned 41 recently.
“It’s really sad that I didn’t make it tonight, I was planning to do it but it didn’t work. But, all due respect to Anthony, congratulations”, he added.
Joshua’s third defence of his IBF World heavyweight title also earned him the vacant WBA belt as he became the first British heavyweight since Lennox Lewis in 2002 to hold two versions of the world title.
It was Klitschko’s first stoppage defeat since Lamon Brewster beat him in 2004 which left his record at 64 wins and five defeats.
Joshua walked into the ring after his 18 straight knockouts as a professional, who was the 1/2 betting favourite and he smiled in front of Britain’s largest boxing attendance since 1939.
