Five of Anthony Joshua’s best knockout victories
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As Anthony Joshua prepares to step back into the ring at Wembley, this time to face the formidable Daniel Dubois, fans and pundits alike are buzzing with anticipation.
After a challenging period that saw him lose back-to-back fights against Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua has since rebuilt his momentum with four consecutive victories, reasserting himself as a top contender in the heavyweight division.
It looked at times as if ‘AJ’ would be ready to hang up the gloves, but on September 21, he enters Wembley as the favourite.
Odds on Anthony Joshua to Win By KO/TKO In Rounds 1-4 are up to 11/2 due to the 34-year-old’s striking power and ability to end things quickly — something that will prove difficult for Dubois to prevent.
As we prepare for the IBF world heavyweight title clash, let’s reflect on five of Joshua’s most impressive knockout victories throughout his career, from rising up the ranks as an amateur, to becoming a champion.
Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko (2017)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight bouts in recent history, Joshua’s 2017 clash with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley was a defining moment in his career.
With the Brits’ IBF title and the vacant WBA and IBO titles on the line, the fight was a back-and-forth, with AJ knocking Klitschko down in the fifth round, only to be floored himself in the sixth.
However, in the eleventh round, Joshua delivered a thunderous uppercut that led to a barrage of punches, forcing the referee to stop the fight and solidifying Joshua’s status as the new king of the heavyweight division.
Joshua vs. Emanuele Leo (2013)
Joshua’s professional debut in 2013 was the start of something special. Facing off against Emanuele Leo, Joshua introduced himself to the professional ranks with a statement performance. It took Joshua less than one round to dispatch Leo, knocking him out with a series of powerful punches.
Though the Italian was not the most formidable opponent Joshua has faced, this fight marked the beginning of his journey, with the win arriving before the three-minute mark.
Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou (2024)
In what was billed as a clash of titans, Anthony Joshua took on former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in 2024, in a crossover bout that had the combat sports world buzzing and boxing bets bemused by the bout’s unpredictability.
Ngannou, known for his raw power in the octagon, posed a unique challenge to AJ, especially with how close he ran Tyson Fury in a fight that the Nigerian should arguably have won.
Joshua’s superior boxing skills shone through, though. The fight was a masterclass in technique versus power, as the Brit rolled back the years, delivering a second-round KO.
Joshua vs. Dillian Whyte (2015)
Long before they were household names, Joshua and Dillian Whyte had a rivalry that dated back to their amateur days. Their 2015 professional bout was one of the most anticipated domestic showdowns in British boxing. The fight was a grudge match, with both men having a lot to prove.
Despite the trash-talking in press conferences, Joshua’s power proved too much for ‘The Body Snatcher’. In the seventh round, Joshua delivered a brutal uppercut that left Whyte sprawled on the canvas, sealing the victory and announcing his arrival on the world stage.
Joshua vs. Alexander Povetkin (2018)
In September 2018, Joshua faced off against the seasoned Russian contender Alexander Povetkin at Wembley. Povetkin, a former WBA heavyweight champion, was known for his power and durability, and he proved to be a tough challenge for Joshua.
Had it not been for Povetkin’s age, approaching his 40th birthday, the Russian could have easily won the fight, but as the rounds went on the challenger grew tired, and AJ capitalised with a seventh-round knockout in front of the home crowd.