There has not been a heavyweight since Joe Louis more than 70 years ago so unmoved by success as Anthony Joshua, the calm new prince moving serenely into a jungle of fevered speculation.
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Britain’s Anthony Joshua has won the IBF world heavyweight title by stopping American southpaw Charles Martin in the second round with a stunning display at London’s 02 arena. “That cost the fight”.
“He was a big puncher, a good fighter, the number one challenger, number one ranked fighter in the World, and he put on a good performance but I was a little bit too good for him”. I am not saying this to purposely insult him, but just calling it how I see it. He reminds me of Manny Pacquiao, another muscular media darling who got exposed when he stepped up in competition. “They say styles make fights, but I don’t stand up in the air and my head is constantly moving”, said Haye in his role as ringside analyst for Sky Sports. I need to keep on pushing if I’m going to maintain at a high level.
He tweeted after the Joshua-Martin clash, “So AJ gets a belt, looked slow ponderous, & still looked like a bodybuilder, let me slay the lamb”. I’m pretty confident, however, both Fury and Joshua will emerge from their next bouts still undefeated, still champions and ready to do battle this winter.
“I am a very humble person and yet I truly believe I will become the undisputed world heavyweight champion in due course”, he said.
“He’s predictable really. He should be happy that I won and that we’re bringing some limelight to the heavyweight division”. Just like his loyal following. Almost four years after Joshua clinched the Olympic title for at the London Games, the venue was different in the capital but there was the same raucous home support to see another dominant victory by the fighter.
Martin made a brash arrival sporting a bejewelled crown, but his bravado was not matched between the ropes.
Vargas withdrew having appeared to hurt his hand in a ninth-round attack of his own, and McDonnell capitalised by throwing a combination that dropped him, at which his corner threw the towel in after two minutes and 39 seconds.
Martin looked at Van Imschoot and finally jumped to his feet at the end of the 10-count, but the referee waved the fight off as Martin argued he could continue.
A matter of hours later and the newly-crowned IBF heavyweight champion fired back at Fury, suggesting the Mancunian should learn from him. “He’s got good speed”.
Of Joshua’s first title defence, Hearn said: “It was always going to be July 9”.
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Hearn wants to keep Joshua busy and is planning a second voluntary defence before his mandatory will be ordered on November 19. We’ll see what Wilder does, and it will become more of a reality.
