Anthony Joshua inflicted the first stoppage defeat of Alexander Povetkin’s 13-year professional career when the two went toe-to-toe in Saturday night’s world-heavyweight clash in London.
READ MORE: 'Through Hell and Back': Anthony Joshua Ready for Tough Fight With Povetkin
The victory allowed Joshua, who was putting his International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization belts on the line against Povetkin, to extend his unbeaten professional record to 22 wins from 22 fights, with 21 knockouts.
Immediately after the fight, Joshua admitted that former World Champion Povetkin was a “tough challenger”:
“Alexander Povetkin is a very tough challenger and he proved that tonight… but I came here to have fun. I realized he was strong to the head but weak to the body,” he said, later adding that it was all about the instincts.
Joshua paid due respect to Povetkin, having approached him after the dramatic fight in the dressing room for a friendly handshake and a hug and wished him luck in Russian:
Udachi Povetkin. All the best for your future 🤜🏾🤛🏼 #AJBXNG pic.twitter.com/xu5U460xyj
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) 22 сентября 2018 г.
After the defeat, Povetkin confessed that his British opponent turned out to be stronger:
“It's hard to say, I'm not tired. I missed the blow. I was inattentive. The fight was good, it was okay. As for Joshua, I can’t say I’m surprised. He was simply stronger, that’s why probably it [the fight] ended up with a knockout. I want to thank everyone who rooted for me and was worried about me. Everything is fine…” he said.
Povetkin's only defeat in his professional career until Saturday night was in 2013 when Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko beat him in Moscow.
READ MORE: UK Boxer Joshua Knocks Out Russia’s Povetkin, Retains World Titles
The spectacular fight sent social media into meltdown:
Alexander Povetkin had 35 fights under his belt, only lost once to Kltischko by decision and has never been KO’d. I repeat, he’s never been KO’d.
— Uchenna (@Demoore90210) 23 сентября 2018 г.
Anthony Joshua: ‘hold my beer, be right back’pic.twitter.com/gzMXbFTyRE
His win over povetkin this night earned Anthony Joshua a 22-match unbeaten run, this Dude is on his way to becoming one of Boxing’s greatest and we are here for this!
— FAVOUR ONYEOZIRI (GCFR) (@Rouvafe) 22 сентября 2018 г.
I Stan! pic.twitter.com/T07uc9OYvo
Hats off to Anthony Joshua — that was a real test and AJ came through — Sasha came to win and AJ overcame real adversity— even tho I picked the round, Sasha was much better than I thought / excellent match up 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾#JoshuaPovetkin
— Audley Harrison MBE (@audleyharrison) 22 сентября 2018 г.
Many praised Joshua for his post-fight conduct and respective attitude towards Povetkin:
you're a true gentleman and a credit to boxing and to humanity.
— Ian James Smith (@IanJSmith01) 22 сентября 2018 г.
This is the respect Joshua shows. He pays his dues and honours the fighters he faces. Humility.
— John (@emeryafc) 22 сентября 2018 г.
Anthony Joshua fans right now #JoshuaPovektin pic.twitter.com/FnqSpOJIg8
— WASSUP🇸🇳🇧🇷🇪🇬 (@WeHaveNoJustice) 22 сентября 2018 г.
Joshua is already booked to box again in London on April 13, but the big question is who he's going to fight. He has on multiple occasions emphasized he wants to fight fellow undefeated champion Deontay Wilder next.
