IBF heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) scored a seventh round KO over previously unbeaten Dominic Breazeale (17-1, 15 KOs) to retain his title on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London.
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Joshua, who has stopped all 17 professional opponents since winning an Olympic gold medal at London 2012, inflicted Breazeale’s first professional defeat in his 18th bout after controlling the fight from start to finish.
“I just want to relax and enjoy myself”, Joshua said as he stepped of the scale, as quoted by The Mail.
“I only had two weeks off after my last fight and got straight back in the gym”.
Joshua, 26, staggered Breazeale with a huge left hook in the first 30 seconds of the second round, then hurt him again late with another left that sent Breazeale reeling around the ring, although he survived the onslaught. After the (Charles) Martin fight (when Joshua won the title) because of the commercial deals, it’s been non-stop: broadcasters, sponsors. the one worry for this fight was burnout.
But Joshua’s next fight is likely to be against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, who is his mandatory challenger, while a fight against fellow Briton Tyson Fury has now been cast into doubt.
And the 17,000-capacity crowd were given plenty to cheer about as the champion produced another spectacular performance that showcased his power and development as a fighter.
“I was initially looking at Fury, but his ankle has postponed things, so now I will look at other opponents, like Parker”.
The heavyweight division continues to bubble away tantalisingly as Eddie Hearne and the rest of Joshua’s team plot their path to the top.
Predictably, Joshua found the range and put on the gas, dropping Breazeale in the seventh with the challenger’s back against the ropes.
David Haye, a ringside commentator, again spoke of his desire for what would be a big-money fight against Joshua.
Joseph Parker insists he is “ready now” to become the next opponent for IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. “I want him to go into uncharted territory, but I’m not going to let an opportunity pass, either, if I see I can get him out of there”, Breazeale said.
“It was a matter of timing and a process”, Joshua told British broadcaster Sky Sports. “The [ankle] injury has kind of made the decision for us”.
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“This is Anthony’s hometown and I’ve got to expect that”, Breazeale said after he was booed at the weigh-in.
