Anthony Joshua knocks out Dominic Breazeale in seven to continue march towards heavyweight glamour clashes
A braver American came. An idolised Englishman still sent him the same way as the paper champion who came to these shores and went home without his world heavyweight title.
Anthony Joshua’s first defence of that IBF belt set the pulses racing faster. Dominic Breazeale lasted three times longer than Charles Martin in this same ring at London’s O2 Arena 11 weeks earlier but the end was just as inevitable.
It came at the start of the seventh round following some brutal punishment. Great credit goes to the taller man from California for restoring the image of the brave American boxer which Martin had tarnished.
Anthony Joshua (pictured on Saturday night) knocked out Dominic Breazeale in seven at London's O2 Arena
Joshua pictured punching Breazeale on another successful night for the heavyweight champion
Joshua’s first defence of that IBF belt lasted longer than the night he won it as he saw off Breazeale in seven
Joshua continued his march towards more heavyweight glamour clashes by beating Breazeale on Saturday night
Joshua and Breazeale squared up in the ring at London's O2 Arena on Saturday night before the former beat the latter in seven
But even greater expectation falls now on Joshua’s shoulders. He has carefully avoided calling out his rival heavyweight champions until now but after this he sent an invitation to yet another American, WBC title holder Deontay Wilder, and his fellow British champion Tyson Fury.
He may have to wait — Fury’s rematch with Wladimir Klitschko is delayed and Wilder has another imminent engagement — but clearly he believes he is ready.
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