Anthony Joshua defended his WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles against the Cameroonian-French veteran Carlos Takam. Joshua takes him down via TKO with a controversial 10th-round stoppage at a raucous Principality Stadium.
The London native, unbeatable 28-year-old (20-0, 20 KOs) got busted by Takam, suspected broken nose after a headbutt in the second round, and blood started gushing from the nose.
Anthony slowly broke the brave resistance of Takam, knocked him down with a left hook by the end of round 4. That nasty punch inflicts more serious injury with an open cut above Takam’s right eye. Ringside physicians inspected him twice so he can continue.
Takam was low, still managed to linger on to Joshua, who went on the attack with several power shots and dropped him with a left hand. The savage encounter was ended in the 10th round, where British referee Phil Edwards decided to intervene to stop the fight.
Takam displays his renowned durability during a damaging dogfight with Anthony Joshua. When the bout ended, Joshua addressed the 80,000 crowd in the stadium via Telegraphy:
“What do you want, UK fans ? Wembley, Cardiff ? Las Vegas ? I just want to keep the sport growing,” he said over the microphone, the entire stadium roaring to his every word.
“I didn’t have control of it, it was the ref’s decision [to stop the fight]. Respect to Takam. He was like Evander Holyfield, ducking down, popping up.”
Takam with a bloody face and cuts was a warrior to the last. Last minute stoppage distressed him.
“I don’t know why the referee stopped the match,” he said. “I respect the champion and the UK fans, they are great fans and I am happy to box here. I don’t why they stopped it.”
“I want a rematch, I make my preparations with 12 days to fight Anthony. I want a rematch, I want to box him again, I want him, he is a great champion.
Anthony said Takam’s mindset is what makes him a dangerous opponent.
“Takam has a mindset of nothing to lose. That’s a dangerous mindset to have, but I have to deal with these styles. I have to break him down, I’m hungry still, forever I will be.”
At tonight’s super boxing match, where Anthony cemented his legacy as best pound-for-pound heavyweight boxer in the world by beating Takam.
