Joshua stops brave Takam in 10.

In an eventful set of affairs, unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua 19-0 (19 Ko's) succesfully defended his trio of titles with a 10th round stoppage over an extremely game Carlos Takam 35-3-1 (27 Ko's) at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, tonight.. Takam, a late replacement for Kubrat Pulev, came with ambition, and went way above the call of duty in a bout that had, cuts, headbuts and cameos of intrigue.. The shorter adopted Frenchman boxed cautiously in the early rounds but drew blood in the second, damaging the champions nose with an accidental head-but. As blood ran from the injury an impatient Joshua upped the tempo. In round 4 Joshua dropped the challenger briefly who was now struggling to see through a severely cut right eye.. Takam looked completely unphased by the occasion, and besides the cuts fought with tremendous bravery, slipping many of Joshua's telegraphed shots and offering returns of his own.. Between most rounds the ringside physician inspected the injury, and although visibly atrocious, was not deemed threatening enough to cause a permanent issue to the fighter.. By round 7 it was evident who was in complete control, but the interest was purely in how far the gallant challenger could push himself, in a fight that he initially looked beyond him.. Joshua was finding the mark by round 9 and although Takam was responding with shots of his own, Anthony appeared to have no respect for his power.. After another long inspection of the eye, round 10 started with Carlos closing the distance and attempting to out-hustle Joshua, Anthony quickly adapted and fired a flurry of shots inside, as a final hook caught Takam flush, the Challenger staggered back, still in control of his faculties, when referee Phil Edwards intervened to call it off.. The stoppage appeared unfair to the brave showing from Takam, although it did appear as though the end was near..
Takam remains the second only man to push AJ towards the championship rounds and definitely deserves more credit for his glorious showing.. Anthony, who did look flat in comparison will take a lot from this experience, a late change of opponent and nose damage early in the bout are more boxes ticked in the seasoning department..