Anthony Joshua claimed the WBC International heavyweight title with a second-round stoppage of Denis Bakhtov at the O2 Arena. The 24-year-old Brit is one of the most exciting prospects in the world of boxing and he enhanced his reputation with an extremely impressive display.
Joshua, who won Olympic gold at London 2012, has now won all nine of his professional fights and none of his opponents have lasted more than three rounds. The experienced Bakhtov was expected to provide a sterner test than Joshua had faced to date but he simply could not cope with the younger man, who was in total control throughout.
Joshua's victory came just a minute into the second round and it was the first time the 34-year-old Bakhtov had been stopped legitimately in nine years.
Joshua told Sky Sports 1: "It only went two rounds but I just wanted to hurt him. He hadn't been stopped so I just wanted to see what he could take. He was a strong guy and he wasn't an easy opponent but I wanted to make light work of him."
