Different opponent, same outcome – Anthony Joshua’s impressive record in the ring continued at the O2 Arena last night as he successfully defended his IBF heavyweight title for the first time with yet another knockout.
And while Team GB’s boxers will now be busy fine-tuning their final preparations ahead of next month’s 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the London 2012 gold medallist admits he will be taking things slightly more gently.
Joshua’s seventh-round KO of unbeaten American Dominic Breazeale last night added another achievement to a career that has been on an unrivalled upwards trajectory since he dethroned reigning champion Roberto Cammarelle of Italy in front of a partisan home crowd at the ExCel Exhibition Centre four years ago.
A year later he turned pro before solidly seeing off any man that dared to stand in his way including IBF champion Charles Martin in two rounds to become just the third man to win a professional heavyweight world title while still a reigning Olympic champion.
Joshua returned to the same O2 Arena ring last night and, while being made to fight for slightly longer than Martin – Breazeale withstood some brutal punches from Joshua before eventually succumbing in the seventh round – the Brit made it 17 knockouts from as many fights.
And Joshua admitted afterwards he intends to take some time off before turning his attention to his next fight.
"It's been tough,” he said post fight.
"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."
That break could well involve keeping a keen eye on the boxing action at the Olympic Games in Rio.
The 26-year-old sparred with super heavyweight Joe Joyce in the run up to his world title defence and he has previously discussed his willingness to help out the team if possible.
Team GB are set to take their biggest ever team of boxers to the Olympic Games with Pat McCormack and Josh Kelly having qualified named quota places last week to the take the total number of qualified boxers up to 12.
Sportsbeat 2016