Nigerian-born Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua delivered one of the great nights in British boxing history by stopping Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round to be crowned IBF, WBA and IBO world heavyweight champion.
The 27-year-old appeared to be on the brink of his first professional defeat when he was floored in the sixth round, but staged a severe onslaught to halt Klitschko in the 11th round.
Joshua successfully defended his IBF title, while also claiming the WBA ‘super’ belt, but there could be called for a rematch after a classic heavyweight unification clash in front of a record 90,000 crowd at the national stadium.
Klitschko had overcome a heavy knockdown in the fourth and the former unified champion defied questions about his advancing age until he finally wilted to defeat after being floored twice more.
A fiery pyrotechnic show was part of Joshua’s ring walk, but he was unable to display his explosive power in a tentative first round as Klitschko kept him at bay with probing jabs.
What was hailed as the biggest fight night ever staged in a British ring, watched by the biggest crowd for a boxing show in Britain for 78 years, lived up to its billing as Joshua survived a knockdown for the first time in his professional career in the sixth round.
In a sensational fifth round, he knocked down Klitschko only to end up hanging on desperately at the end of the round as the Ukrainian launched a remarkable comeback.
The veteran had even looked the more likely winner as he defied a 14-year age gap and was outboxing Joshua in the latter stages until the Briton produced a blistering finish to take his unbeaten record to 19 wins.
What they had to say
The Ukrainian in his post match comment noted that he needed to take some time to “figure out” what happened.
“The best man won tonight and it’s a massive event for boxing. Two gentlemen fought each other. Anthony was better today. It’s really sad I didn’t make it tonight.
“I was planning to do it, it didn’t work. But all the respect to Anthony, congratulations,” he said.
On his part, Joshua said, “What can I say? 19-0, three and a half years in the game. As I said, I’m not perfect but I’m trying and if you don’t take part you’re going to fail.
“As boxing states, you leave your ego at the door and you respect your opponent. So a massive shout out to Wladimir Klitschko,” he said.
He also used the opportunity to request for a fight against Tyson Fury, who also beat Klitschko — on points in November 2015 — but has not fought since.
“Tyson Fury, where (are) you at baby?” asks Joshua.
“Come on, is that what you want to see? I enjoy fighting. I love fighting. Tyson Fury I know he has been talking a lot and wants to come back and compete.
“I want to give 90,000 people another chance to come back and watch some boxing here,” shouts out Joshua who is now a three-belt champion as he also holds the IBO title.
