Britain's Anthony Joshua has retained his IBF heavyweight boxing crown by knocking out American Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round at London's O2 Arena.
Unbeaten Joshua dominated from the start but the 30-year-old Breazeale proved a durable opponent, absorbing some thunderous blows from the 2012 Olympic champion before succumbing on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
"When you start catching them flush, you know they can feel the shots, and so he was tough," Joshua, who won the title by beating Charles Martin in his previous fight, told reporters.
"But this has been tough for me, as two weeks after my last fight I was straight back into the ring. So now I look forward to getting my break. I need some time off."
There were signs that Joshua was getting frustrated in the sixth round but he began the seventh with a tremendous attack that sent his opponent to the canvas.
Breazeale, also unbeaten prior to this bout, managed to continue but was floored again by a left to end the contest.
Joshua took his record to 17-0, all by knockout.
His fellow Britain Tyson Fury holds the WBA ands WBO belts and was scheduled to fight former champion Wladimir Klitschko in a rematch on July 9 but pulled out because of an ankle injury suffered in training.
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