Anthony Joshua knocks out rival Kubrat Pulev to retain heavyweight titles

He has now set the stage for a showdown with Tyson Fury – what is likely to be billed the biggest fight in British boxing history.

Anthony Joshua has retained his heavyweight titles after knocking out Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round of their match.

Bookies’ favourite Joshua had put his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight championship belts on the line against Pulev, an IBF mandatory challenger, as they fought in their world heavyweight title bout at Wembley Arena.

The British fighter lasted nine rounds with the Bulgarian before landing him a huge right hand to KO his rival.

Joshua quickly left the ring afterwards to embrace former boxing star Floyd Mayweather at the ringside.

Ahead of the match, former boxing star Mayweather called Joshua a “hell of a fighter and a gentleman”.

The Watford-born star, 31, walked out to The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army as the 1,000 fans in the arena belted out his name.

In the first round, both men were cagey at first, with Joshua the first to throw a punch before Pulev responded with a jab.