Anthony Joshua retains IBF world heavyweight title with round seven KO

BRITISH boxer Anthony Joshua has successfully defended his world heavyweight title with a brutal seventh-round knockout.

Anthony Joshua is a savage.

ANTHONY Joshua has successfully defended his IBF world heavyweight title for the first time.

Up against American Dominic Breazeale as the main event at The O2 Arena in London, Joshua finished the fight in the seventh round after a barrage of punches stunned his opponent.

The British former Olympian landed a straight right, quickly followed up by a strong right uppercut which dropped Breazeale as the ref called the fight to an end.

#AndStill @anthonyfjoshua successfully retains his IBF Heavyweight title over @TroubleBoxing via KO #JoshuaBreazealehttps://t.co/Pjabuvn1GM

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) June 25, 2016

Joshua gave credit to the formerly undefeated Breazeale for his courage in standing up to the barrage of shots.

“When you start catching them flush, you know they can feel the shots, and so he was tough,” he said.

“But this has been tough for me, as two weeks after my last fight I was straight back into the ring. So now I look forward to getting my break. I need some time off.”

Reaction to the bout saw viewers stunned by the overwhelming dominance and power of Joshua.

That was brutal. Joshua by KO7.

— Brian Campbell (@BCampbellESPN) June 25, 2016

@anthonyfjoshua the new breed of heavyweight boxing 💪🏻

— Chris Clark (@Chris_CIark) June 25, 2016

Anthony Joshua is an unbelievable athlete. Absolute goliath.

— Reev (@TheReevHD) June 25, 2016

Didn't they tell you Anthony Joshua was savage 👀

— Moelogo (@moelogo) June 25, 2016

credit to Breazeale for hanging around that long 🤕 but that was just too easy again, always in control! 👊🏼💥 @anthonyfjoshua

— Jack Butland (@JackButland_One) June 25, 2016

Unbeaten Joshua dominated from the start but the 30-year-old Breazeale proved a durable opponent, absorbing some thunderous blows from the 2012 Olympic champion before succumbing on Sunday morning (AEST).

There were signs that Joshua was getting frustrated in the sixth round but he began the seventh with a tremendous attack that sent his opponent to the canvas.

Breazeale, also unbeaten prior to this bout, managed to continue but was floored again by a left to end the contest.

Joshua took his record to 17-0, all by knockout.

The 26-year-old was looking likely to challenge current WBA, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion and fellow countryman Tyson Fury in his next bout, in an attempt to claim the unified heavyweight title. However, after Fury announced on Friday that he had sustained an ankle injury in training, Joshua will be forced to look elsewhere, and wait on the chance to claim the overall title.

Undefeated New Zealand fighter Joseph Parker’s name was floated in conversation after the bout as the next possible challenger for the IBF title.

Who’s up next?

Joshua also hinted that a contest with 36-0 American heavyweight Deontay Wilder could also be on the horizon.

“I’m making waves in the US now and one day I’m sure Deontay Wilder and I will get to experience what each other are all about,” Joshua said after defeating Breazeale.

“I was initially looking at Fury, but his ankle has postponed things, so now I will look at other opponents, like Parker. I had initially wanted Fury in the winter, but not now.

“Now I want rest, to recharge my batteries before I get to it again.”

Joshua said he had taken inspiration for the bout from the sport’s greatest of all time.

“(I wore the white tonight) because Ali is an inspirational person, inside and outside of the ring. It will take time to get anywhere close to that, but all I can do is try. This is my moment and all I can do it take advantage of it.”