Skip to content
Home » Stats show Joshua’s power output increase during second half proved too much for Takam

Stats show Joshua’s power output increase during second half proved too much for Takam

Before the largest indoor audience in boxing history (more than 78,000, breaking the previous mark of 63,350 set at Ali-Spinks II in September 1978), a methodical and composed Joshua, fighting most of the fight with a damaged nose caused by an accidental headbutt, retained his WBA and IBF belts by scoring the fight’s only knockdown (left hook in round four), cutting the challenger over both eyes and landing a barrage of blows that prompted referee Phil Edwards to execute a curiously-timed intervention.

Joshua’s offense was perfectly balanced in terms of output (227 jabs, 227 power shots), his jab was commanding (23.9 thrown/6.4 connects per round to Takam’s 8.1/1.7) and his pace was measured (47.7 punches per round to Takam’s 23.3).

The difference was Joshua’s sharpness (33%-23% overall, 27%-21% jabs, 40%-25% power), which led to connecting gaps of 152-52 overall, 61-16 jabs and 91-36 power, as well as his shot-for-shot power and his ability to string together that power.

Joshua reached or exceeded 40% power accuracy in six of the final seven rounds while Takam reached that plateau just once in the entire fight (40% in round two).