On Saturday night at the O2 London, Anthony Joshua barely got into second gear for his first world title fight against reigning IBF champion, Prince Charles Martin.. Unbeaten himself, Martin came to the uk looking to make a bold statement by defending against the hottest young heavyweight around, but never anticipated the wrath we would be facing. Joshua took the first round to really have a look at his opponent, a dangerous southpaw on paper, but at the close of the round it was evident that the Americans pre fight bravado was no reflected by his tepid start, the second round saw both men try to exchange, Martin appearing apprehensive after feeling Joshua's power. The breakthrough came a minute into the round, Martin reached in with a overhand left, a shot that was countered efficiently by Joshua with a straight right which dropped the champion, a flash knockdown but enough to send alarm bells ringing, moments after rising he would once again walk onto a second Joshua right hand, this time sending Martin sprawling across the canvas, with a nervous grin on his face the American attempted to rise, but had no intention and was counted out as he stood.. Joshua never really had the chance to explode into action on his biggest night, but the message is now very clear, that Anthony Joshua has arrived, the new IBF heavyweight champion in just 34 professional rounds.. Joshua knows that he is the vulnerable of the current champions, but it is clear that he is the one improving the fastest.. Charles Martin looks now to have been one of the shortest reigning belt holders in the championships history, he won the vacant title only 11 weeks ago in Brooklyn after Czar Glazkov retired with a bizarre knee injury in the 3rd round, it was a gutsy decision to call out such a dangerous first defence, but it has cost him the chance to be a memorable champion..
The undercard featured an entertaining middleweight battle between Birminghams Matthew Macklin and Blackpools Brian Rose, both fighters gave everything in a fairly close affair which I had Rose winning after 12, Macklin was given a unanimous decision of 115/115 twice and 113/113 even..
Barrys Lee Selby retained his IBF world featherweight title with a convincing points verdict over tough Philadelphian Eric Hunter, Hunter had Selby on the floor for the first time in his career with a slick left hook, but had points deducted for continual low blows..
The debuting Conor Benn, son of former legendary champion Nigel Benn had a successful introduction to the pro game with a first round knockout of Ivailo Boyanov
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