Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam: Phil Edwards To Referee

By Elliot Foster

Phil Edwards will take charge of Anthony Joshua's world title defence against Carlos Takam.

The Preston-based Welsh official, 61, has been selected as the ring adjudicator for ‘AJ’s’ WBA 'Super' and IBF heavyweight title defence against Takam, who has replaced the injured Kubrat Pulev.

Joshua faces Takam, with the IBO belt also at stake, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on October 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The fact that the French-based Cameroonian, 36, who has been beaten by WBO champion in the sport’s premier division Joseph Parker, is in to face Joshua comes after previous mandatory challenger, Bulgaria’s Pulev, was forced out with a torn pectoral muscle.

Edwards is one of Britain's most experienced referees –– a Class A Star one at that –– and was the man in the middle for Tony Bellew's heavyweight grudge fight with David Haye in March, at the O2 Arena in London, which ended in an 11th round stoppage win for the Liverpudlian, who rematches his former victim on December 17 at the same venue.

He has refereed Joshua in the past, overseeing his second round knockout of Raphael Zumbano Love in 2015.

Two US officials will be joined by a British representative on the judging panel at the venue formerly known as the Millennium Stadium.

Joshua’s clash with Takam is part of a huge night of action in Cardiff where the 2012 London Olympic Gold medal man’s bitter foe Dillian Whyte aims to take a giant step to his first World title shot by facing Robert Helenius for the WBC Silver strap.

Kal Yafai defends his WBA Wold Super-Flyweight title against Japanese mandatory challenger Sho Ishida and Irish sensation Katie Taylor challenges for her first World title as she takes on two-weight World champion Anahi Esther Sanchez for the WBA Lightweight crown.

There’s a mouth-watering British and Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight battle between Frank Buglioni, Lenroy Thomas and Dave Allen rematch for the Commonwealth Heavyweight title and Team GB Olympian and Welsh talent Joe Cordina appears in his fifth pro outing.