Golden Moments In Sports: When Anthony Joshua Took A Beating He’ll Never Forget

Only a handful of boxing fights have ever lived up to the hype that preceded them, and the biggest heavyweight bout of 2017 is one of such fights. A record audience of 90,000 boxing fans gathered at the Wembley Stadium in England to watch Wladimir Klitschko take on a young English boxer who was by far no match for his years of boxing experience. Anthony Joshua had faced 18 opponents and knocked them all out, but this was a whole new challenge for the boxer who would be going up against an all-time great former champion, and ruthless Olympic Super Heavyweight gold medalist. Joshua’s IBF and the vacant WBA (Super) and IBO heavyweight titles were on the line as both men walked into the ring behind the enthralled crowd. Going into the fight, Joshua had a lot to prove as he was to face the first major opponent in his career. Klitschko on the other hand needed a win to confirm his return to boxing after a lackluster performance saw him lose his three major belts to Tyson Fury 17 months earlier.

The Big Fight!

The fight lived up to its name and will go down as one of the best heavyweight matches of our time. The first four rounds saw both men try to establish their presence in the ring, however as soon as Joshua’s knockdown combo cut Klitschko over his left eye, the bout came alive. Joshua thought he had the veteran boxer where he wanted him, but he was dead wrong. Klitschko soon went for the kill in the sixth round, dealing punches that spelt doom for the then 27-year old, and for the first time in his career Joshua was knocked down. Joshua got back on his feet and soon enough both boxers were trading punches in a manner that held all 90,000 fans in Wembley in shock and excitement. Klitschko, however, had experience on his side and was dealing the more severe blows until the 11th round when Joshua dropped him with a right uppercut, then again, and another which eventually brought the beast to his knees. Joshua emerged the champion and has ever since remained the face of world heavyweight boxing.