Joshua KOs Pulev to retain heavyweight titles, eyes Fury next

London - The champion’s 24th win from 25 professional fights

World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua produced a devastating finish to knock out Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev near the end of the ninth round to retain his IBF, WBO and WBA belts at Wembley Arena on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Briton had looked close to winning when he floored Pulev in the third round but the challenger recovered to test the home favourite in front of a limited crowd of 1,000.

But there was no escape for the challenger in the ninth round as Joshua landed a clubbing right upper-cut which sent Pulev to the canvas. The 39-year-old got up but Joshua connected with another straight right hand to end the contest.

The champion’s 24th win from 25 professional fights sets up the prospect of a mouth-watering unification clash next year with fellow Briton Tyson Fury who holds the WBC belt.

“I stuck to what I know best, looking at where I’m going to put my shots,” Joshua said at ringside. “When they are successful they are successful. It’s less talk and more action.”

Asked about fighting Fury, Joshua put the question to the audience: “Who wants to see Anthony Joshua fight Tyson Fury in 2021,” he said, to which the crowd roared their approval.

The 32-year-old Fury, whose brother Hughie was fighting on the undercard, was quick to respond on Twitter.

“I want the fight, I want the fight next, I’ll knock him out inside three rounds,” he said.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn was eager to get the pair together, saying: “Starting from tomorrow, we make the Tyson Fury fight straight away. It’s the only fight to be made in boxing. It is the biggest fight in British boxing history.”

Still, it was going to take something special to stop Pulev and that moment arrived near the end of the ninth as Joshua produced a devastating finish to a fight that was a potential tricky hurdle to a Battle of Britain showdown with Fury.