Anthony Joshua defended his WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles by defeating Carlos Takam with a 10th round stoppage at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday night.
The Briton, 28, damaged his nose after a heavy head collision early on and did not have things all his own way against a fighter who took the bout at 12 days notice.
However in the fourth round in which both men enjoyed success, Joshua dropped his man with a hook and badly damaged the eye of his rival.
Takam was twice inspected by ringside medics but battled on until he was overwhelmed in the 10th, when referee Phil Edwards stepped in to end the contest, much to the challenger’s frustration.
Takam, 36, was under pressure but not out on his feet and some inside the Cardiff venue booed the stoppage.
“I come to fight. I don’t sit on the edge and make decisions,” said Joshua after the bout. “It was a good fight until the ref stopped it, so I have the utmost respect for Takam.”
Anthony Joshua has now won 20 out of his last 20 fights all by knockout.
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Photo Credit: Getty Images
