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Anthony Joshua knocks out Wladimir Klitschko for the heavyweight title

Klitschko admitted the best man won as he graciously accepted defeat.
Klitschko admitted the best man won as he graciously accepted defeat. Klitschko admitted the best man won as he graciously accepted defeat.

Anthony Joshua has retained his heavyweight title after dramatically knocking out Wladimir Klitschko in 11 rounds.

Making the third defence of his IBF title, he also became the WBA champion after recovering from the first knockdown of his career to impressively win at Wembley Stadium.

Anthony Joshua knocks down Wladimir Klitschko
Anthony Joshua knocks down Wladimir Klitschko
(Peter Byrne/PA)

Before a boisterous crowd of 90,000, Joshua and Klitschko traded huge punches before Joshua finally found a way to finish the longtime former champion.

It was anybody’s fight when Joshua landed a right uppercut early in the 11th round that spun Klitschko’s head around. He was all over the Ukrainian and dropped him with a left hook, but Klitschko got up only to take even more punishment.

Joshua knocked Klitschko down again and was landing punches to his head on the ropes when referee David Fields moved in to stop the bout late in the 11th round.Since winning his gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012, Joshua has long been seen as the fighter to revive the heavyweight division that had become so predictable during the Klitschkos’ lengthy reign.

Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko
Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko
(Nick Potts/PA)

“A massive shout out to Wladimir Klitschko for taking part, I’m not going to say too much, in terms of the boxing hall of fame, he’s a role model in and out of the ring,” said Joshua after the match.“Boxing is about character, as I said from the get-go, it will be a boxing classic, find what you believe in and give it a go.

Klitschko was graceful in defeat, and said: “London, I hope you enjoyed the fight, he beat me at his best, the best man won tonight.“Two gentleman fought each other, Anthony won tonight, I (was) waiting to give but all the respect to you guys, thank you.“I wish I could raise my hands but congratulations to Anthony.”