Anthony Joshua has defeated his challenger, Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev, by a knockout in the ninth round to retain his three world heavyweight championship belts — after a year away in a title defence.
Joshua regained the WBA, WBO and IBF titles in a rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr. last December in Saudi Arabia.
Born to Nigerian parents, the boxer beat the Bulgarian at the Wembley stadium on Sunday morning, to hand Pulev his second defeat in his professional boxing career.
The first round saw both pugilists with lots of single punches, while none of them really managed to get anything special in, but Joshua had the snappier jab.
Unbelieveable scenes in the third round saw Pulev barely survive a huge AJ jab.
Although the Bulgarian came out for the third round more active than he was in the first two rounds, Joshua landed a one-two for the first meaningful shot of the round.
Then Joshua landed uppercut after uppercut to complement his overhand rights, and Pulev was left barely able to survive.
Joshua secured his 22nd knock-out against Pulev, bringing his bout records to 24-1, 22 knock outs. The 31-year-old with an uppercut hit the Bulgarian to floor in the ninth round (pictured above).
The world heavyweight champion put on a show at the Wembley Arena in London against the experienced Bulgarian to set up his clash with Tyson Fury in 2021.
Joshua after his bout said;
Less talk, more action.
I hope everyone was satisfied tonight. For me, I stuck to what I know best, boxing. You ask the crowd what they want to see!
Joshua also said he wants Tyson Fury next, stressing;
I’ve been chasing the belts since I started this. It’s not about the man; it’s about the belt and the legacy. If it’s Tyson Fury with the WBC belt, then let it be Tyson Fury!.
