Joshua Stops Povetkin To Retain Heavyweight Titles

Alexander Povetkin brought the pressure to Anthony Joshua, but it was Joshua who prevailed in his latest unified heavyweight title defense.

Joshua knocked down Povetkin halfway through the seventh round of their fight before ultimately stopping him to retain the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles. The fight headlined another massive boxing card at London’s Wembley Stadium, where approximately 80,000 fans came to watch Joshua.

The fight started well for the challenger as Povetkin pressured Joshua with strong punches at close range. Povetkin started the second round with a shot at Joshua which caused the champion’s nose to bleed. Joshua would later get revenge by landing an uppercut to cause a minor cut above Povetkin’s left eye.

Joshua started to get more comfortable as the fight progressed and appeared more relax as he was making Povetkin miss punches and then Joshua landing the jab. In the seventh round, Joshua landing straight right that hurt Povetkin and Joshua landed a stiff left to knock down Povetkin. Although Povetkin got back up and barely beat the referee’s 10 count, Joshua mauled Povetkin, taking down the Russian challenger and referee Steve Gray immediately putting a stop to the contest.

The win improved Joshua’s record to 22-0 with 21 knockout victories. This was Joshua’s first stoppage win since defeating Carlos Takam in the 10th round of their October 2017 bout in Cardiff, Wales.

After the fight, Joshua did not seem too interested in talking about his next fight, scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium next April. Joshua did mention WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder as his No. 1 fighter on his list of possible opponents for next April. Wilder is defending his title against Tyson Fury in December and if the winner fights Joshua next April, it could potentially crown the next undisputed heavyweight champion.

Anthony Joshua defeated Alexander Povetkin​​​​​​​ by TKO, round 7, 1:59 to retain the Unified WBA, WBO and IBF Heavyweight Titles

Luke Campbell defeated Yvan Mendy by unanimous decision​​​​​​​

Lawrence Okolie defeated Matty Askin​ ​​​​by unanimous decision to win the BBBofC British Cruiserweight Title

Sergey Kuzmin​​​​​​​ defeated David Price by RTD, round 4

Shakhram Giyasov​​​​​​​ defeated Julio Laguna by TKO, round 4

Anthony Joshua (C) vs. Alexander Povetkin​​​​​​​: Unified WBA, WBO and IBF Heavyweight Titles

Round 1: Both men start the fight measuring each other, not throwing any strong power punches as they get into a rhythm and get a feel for each other’s range. Joshua did land a counter left hook halfway through the round that could have been trouble for Povetkin. Povetkin ends the round with a solid left hand that stunned Joshua.

Round 2: Joshua’s nose is starting to bleed as Povetkin is starting to mount the pressure on Joshua. Povetkin connects with a right hand to the champion. Joshua is still fighting in a cautious manner and looking to utilize his jab.

Round 3: Povetkin continues his strong start by constantly closing the distance on Joshua as the champion tries to look for an opening. Joshua is managing to duck and evade some of Povetkin’s punches, but is not mounting any serious offense.

Round 4: Joshua is letting his hands go and there is some blood around the left eye of Povetkin. Joshua landed a big right uppercut that caused a cut on Povetkin and the champion is doing a better job evading Povetkin’s punches.

Round 5: Povetkin once again tries to close the distance on Joshua, looking for body shots. Povetkin is lunging forward to throw the left hook, but Joshua avoids getting seriously hit. Povetkin lands a left hook upstairs. Joshua ended the round with a quick jab.

Round 6: Joshua is throwing a couple of jabs to start the round. Joshua lands a right hand and is getting more comfortable fighting Povetkin. Povetkin throws a couple of heavy hooks, which Joshua blocks. Povetkin lands another big uppercut. Joshua connects with a counter right hook.

Round 7: Joshua goes for a right hand and Povetkin counters with a left hook upstairs. Joshua stuns Povetkin with a right jab and Povetkin is knocked down. Povetkin barely gets back up and Joshua and overwhelms Povetkin until the referee puts a stop to the contest. Joshua retains the title.


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