What probably looked like an easy fight on paper, turned out to be Anthony Joshua’s toughest rumble to date. The fight at Cardiff was stopped by the ref (but the decision was met with 76,000 unhappy boos from those in attendance).
36-year-old Carlos Takam, who took the fight at just 12 days’ notice following Kubrat Pulev’s withdrawal through injury made him look like the underdog for this match-up.
The British champion extended his record to 20-0 and defended the referee by saying, “I don’t care if I spark him out, it goes 12 rounds or the ref ends it,” said Joshua in the post-fight press conference. “People want to see the fighters I fight unconscious every time.
“People wanted to see him unconscious and I was trying, but the ref’s job is to let the fighter live on another day”, He added.
What’s next for the Watford-born champion?
Although frustrated Takam was quick to call for a rematch with Anthony Joshua, it is highly unlikely.
In the run-up to this bout, Joshua spoke of his desire to unify the heavyweight belts in 2018 and become the undisputed champion of the world.
Hearn spoke of plans for Joshua to fight three times in 2018 after last night’s fight, beginning with March or April, and also said that the money involved in fighting in America would only be greater than that in the UK if they “get things right”.
