Former five division world champion Floyd Mayweather was a surprise guest on Saturday night at SSE Arena at Wembley, as he watched Anthony Joshua retain the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight titles with a knockout of mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.
For Joshua, it was his first bout since reclaiming his heavyweight titles with a dominant decision over Andy Ruiz last December in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua dropped Pulev four times before the contest was over in the ninth round, as the Bulgarian challenger was unable to beat the count.
"What can I say, this is the fight game, at the same time I’m not in competition with anyone apart from myself," Joshua said.
"I’m staying true to myself, learning every day, I get older, I get wiser, I learn that this boxing game is chess and not checkers. I play a smart game and I make the right moves at the right time. Round nine, I got the knockout and onto the next."
Mayweather made headlines earlier this month, when the 43-year-old retired fighter announced that he was going to face Youtube star Logan Paul in an exhibition fight on February 20.
The one-time pound-for-pound king is a very big fan of Joshua's work.
"It’s always good to see some great boxing," Mayweather told Sky Sports .
"The UK is a great place, so many great fighters. I am proud of Anthony Joshua, and it’s lights, camera, action.
"He is one of the best heavyweights out there. Got a gold medal before. His career is going great, he is a hell of a fighter.
"Anything can happen in the sport of boxing, one shot can change it all. He is a great fighter, hell of a guy a gentleman and I respect his craft."
