Anthony Joshua beats Povetkin, retains heavyweight titles
Anthony Joshua on Saturday night extended his undefeated streak to 22 wins after stopping Alexander Povetkin at the seventh round of their heavyweight title bout at Wembley Stadium, London.
Joshua (22-0, 21Kos), though could not live up to his promise of stopping the Russian before the fifth round mark, went home with all three titles; IBF, WBA and WBO intact.
After an early chess match in which Joshua suffered a bloodied nose before cutting his rival, the Briton grew in confidence and a savage right hand followed by a left hook began an onslaught which would prove telling.
Another right-left combination downed Povetkin, who somehow made the count, only to stagger into a left hook which saw him slump into the ropes, leaving referee Steve Gray with no option but to intervene.
Roars poured down to ringside as the rain had all day, with Joshua’s corner ecstatic and rightly so. His display showcased poise, intellect and power, sending a message to the heavyweight division that the champion will take some stopping.
“Povetkin is a very tough challenger, he proved that with good left hooks and counter punches,” Joshua said.
“I came in here to have fun, and give it my best. I knew he was strong to the head but weak to the body. I was just mixing it up.
“It could have been seven, maybe nine, maybe 12 rounds to get him out of there, but the ultimate aim was to be victorious,” he said.
