British boxer recovers from slow start to win Povetkin via knockout

British boxer of Nigerian descent Anthony Joshua recovered from a slow start to retains his heavyweight titles with a knockout win over Alexander Povetkin on Saturday, September 22 at Wembley.

Joshua retains his International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) heavyweight titles by inflicting Povetkin’s first career loss via a knockout.

Joshua whose parents are from Sagamu in Ogun State Nigeria dropped Povetkin in the seventh round with a straight right hand and left hook.

It was a knockout that came as Povetkin gradually waned out after coming out in full force from the start of the bout.

The Russian had threatened to dampen the mood of the Wembley crowd who were cheering Joshua all night after coming on top at the end of Round One.

Even more worrying for the home fans, he had given Joshua a cut on his nose which bled profusely.

Joshua looked wobbly in Round 2 but somehow sufficed the onslaught from Povetkin who wanted to round of the bout quickly.

Joshua counted on his experience as he gradually started responding with some single-punch jabs.

In the fourth round, it was the turn of Povetkin to get a cut, this time on his left eye, as Joshua gained the momentum.

Despite his obvious tiredness, he managed to remain in the contest after Round 6 only for Joshua to deliver the ruthless punches just two minutes into the seventh round.

"Povetkin is a very tough challenger and he proved it tonight," Joshua told .

"I realised he was strong to the head but weak to the body. I got my knockout streak back, I found my right hand again."

Saturday’s win makes it 22 wins from 22 fights, with 21 knockouts for Joshua who is set to face either World Boxing Council (WBC) champions Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury who faces the American on December 1.

"My number one would be Wilder," Joshua said when asked about his next opponent.

Joshua has Wembley booked already for April 13 2019.

"May the champion bring himself here and have a good old-fashioned dust-up," he added.

"All I want to fight is serious challengers. If Dillian (Whyte) wants to fight here he is also more than welcome."