Boxing: Anthony Joshua knocks out Breazeale to retain IBF title

Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua retained his IBF World Heavyweight title with a seventh-round stoppage of Dominic Breazeale on Saturday night in London.

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist was only taken past the third round for the second time in his career and Breazeale put up a stubborn defence against the London native.

Joshua now as 17 wins inside the distance, from his 17 fights.

The 30-year-old American did well to stay on his feet until the seventh round. He fell twice in quick succession from a barrage of Joshua punches, before the referee stopped the fight.

New Zealand fighter Joseph Parker looks to be the next fighter on Joshua’s radar. The unbeaten 24-year-old fights next month, with Joshua in his sights if he wins.

The postponement of Tyson Fury’s fight with Wladimir Klitschko has ended any immediate hopes of Joshua trying to unify the division in his next fight.

And the British boxer revealed “I’m in a good position” to defeat anyone that comes his way.

“Wilder, Fury, Haye, I’d fight any one of them, and they all want me.

“I was really looking at Tyson Fury. I hope he gets better soon, as I was hoping to get that sometime in the winter if everything went well.

“We’re going to have to reschedule that and look at other opponents like Parker if he’s vacant or anybody else that the people want.

“I need to rest. I’m tired. I’m working hard. And now I can get some rest and recharge my batteries and start afresh again.”