Joshua relishes victory, knocks out Breazeale in 7th Round

Anthony Joshua defended his IBF heavyweight title for the first time with a seventh-round knockout of Dominic Breazeale in London.

The unbeaten American was incredibly game, standing up to some brutal assaults by the champion, who now has 17 knockouts from as many fights.

But after Breazeale was floored for a second time in the seventh, the referee waved the fight off. Joshua’s mandatory challenger is New Zealand’s Joseph Parker.

Fellow Briton David Price is another viable option.

Joshua, who won Olympic super-heavyweight gold at London 2012, told Sky Sports: “It’s been tough.

“I only had two weeks off after my last fight and got straight back in the gym. I can have a nice little break for once and come back with recharged batteries.”

The 6ft 7in Breazeale held a height and weight advantage over Joshua and was unbeaten in 17 pro fights, although he had fought nobody of note.

In his previous contest, he had been knocked down by Amir Mansour and was well behind on the scorecards when the 43-year-old was forced to retire with breathing problems.

The opening round did not produce much in the way of action, although Breazeale was stiffened by a sharp left hook, which did not bode well.