IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua remains so after an impressive victory over American challenger Dominic Breazeale in London, England.
The 26-year-old, although dominant throughout, was made to work for the win and eventually sealed the triumph in the seventh round.
Breazeale was rocked a few times early on, but the Californian, 30, proved that he could take a dig as Joshua picked and probed with solid shots.
Joshua batters Breazeale
Joshua went to the halfway point in a fight for only the second time in his career, getting the job done with a flurry of punches. He dropped Breazeale twice in quick succession.
Referee Howard Foster waved the contest off with Breazeale in no position to continue and handed Joshua a 17th straight knockout to extend his perfect record.
A fight with mandatory challenger Joseph Parker looms for ‘AJ’ shortly. However, his deal with US network Showtime may see another challenger from across the Atlantic make the trip to Joshua’s backyard before a meeting with the powerful New Zealander.
Once again, Joshua looked like an assured champion in front of his home crowd at the O2 Arena, and it will take a lot for someone to dethrone the Londoner on his current form.
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