Joshua, 26, has proved an irresistible force to those who have faced him since he won Olympic gold in the super-heavyweight weight class at London 2012. But this has been tough for me, as two weeks after my last fight I was straight back into the ring.
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Joshua’s backyard has been rebranded “the lion’s den” in the run-up to the first defence of his IBF heavyweight title, live on Sky Sports Box Office this weekend.
A devastating left-right combination, similar to those that stopped numerous Briton’s 16 previous opponents, sent Breazeale to the canvas so heavily it appeared the fight was over early in the seventh round. Wilder has proven himself in title fights against some quality opponents, but even he is yet to face elite competition – not for a lack of effort as his fight against Alexander Povetkin was cancelled after Povetkin failed a drug test. “I get a nice little break for once and then I can come back with recharged batteries”.
Joshua has knocked out all 16 of his professional opponents, with compatriot Dillian Whyte the only man to take him past three rounds.
However, he could not keep the Briton off for long and Joshua closed the show in a spectacular seventh round.
The victory ensured Joshua maintained his flawless record and the 26-year-old has now won all of his 17 fights by knockout.
“Once you get the full package, you’re unstoppable”, Joshua said. I’ve got to take advantage of both of them. “One day, we will get to experience what each other is about”.
Anthony Joshua’s next fight is likely to be against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker, rather than a world title unification bout with Tyson Fury.
Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) will now fight Chris Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) on July 16 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham as a main event in an Premier Boxing Champions card. It will take time to get anywhere close to that, but all I can do is try.
The most impressive performance of Joshua’s career culminated with that combination in the seventh, and he clinically finished. I had initially wanted Fury in the winter, but not now.
“I don’t have a problem providing the testers with what they need”.
“I’m making waves in the United States now and one day I’m sure Deontay Wilder and I will get to experience what each other are all about”, Joshua said after defeating Breazeale.
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Joseph Parker insists he is “ready now” to become the next opponent for IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
