UK based Nigerian boxing sensation,Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua defeated veteran Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko in a world heavyweight title fight epic in front of 90,000 people at Wembley on Saturday, taking victory on an 11th round stoppage.
Joshua added the WBA title to his IBF belt but only after being knocked to the canvas by the 41-year-old Klitschko in the sixth round. The Ukrainian was also sent crashing to the floor in the fifth round and twice more in the pivotal 11th as the 27-year-old British fighter took his record to 19 wins in 19 fights.
“What can I say? 19-0, three and a half years in the game. As I said, I’m not perfect but I’m trying and if you don’t take part you’re going to fail,” said Joshua. “As boxing states, you leave your ego at the door and you respect your opponent. So a massive shout out to Wladimir Klitschko.” Tributes were quickly paid to both men.
Many former boxing greats have shown their respect to both men for a great fight.
“How much heart did @Klitschko show in this fight? Gotta respect it. Hold ur head high brother! #joshuaklitschko,” tweeted Britain’s Lennox Lewis, a former world heavyweight champion sitting ringside.
US legend Sugar Ray Leonard added also on Twitter: “Such an amazing fight with 2 great fighters. Lot of heart by both fighters. A lot of questions answered by @anthonyfjoshua #JoshuaKlitchsko.”
Tyson Fury on Sunday accepted the challenge issued by world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua following the Londoner’s title victory over Wladimir Klitschko, according to the BBC.
Joshua, who stopped the Ukrainian in the 11th round at Wembley on Saturday, immediately called out fellow Briton Fury, who beat Klitschko on points in November 2015. “Fury, where you at, baby?” he asked. “I know he’s been talking, I want to give 90,000 a chance to see us.”
Fury, 28, is also unbeaten as a professional, with 18 knockouts in 25 fights, but surrendered his world heavyweight titles in an effort to focus on his mental health problems and is currently without a boxing licence and out of condition.
However, he remains active on social media and indicated he wants to return, judging by his reply on Twitter to Joshua’s calls from the ring.
“Challenge accepted,” Fury wrote. “We will give the world the biggest fight in 500 years. I will play with you. You are a boxer’s dream. “Well done Anthony Joshua. Good fight. You had life and death with Klitschko and I played with the guy. Let’s dance.”
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