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On This Day One Year Ago: Anthony Joshua Became World Champion

On This Day One Year Ago: Anthony Joshua Became World Champion

The Olympic gold medalist claimed the IBF heavyweight world title

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

An undefeated-American world champion entered hostile grounds to face Anthony Joshua who was fighting in his first world title bout. Charles Martin was making the first defence of his IBF heavyweight title but quickly succumbed to the blistering speed and power of the British-fighter.

Following Tyson Fury dethroning Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015, the IBF ordered a mandatory defence against Vyacheslav Glazkov. Though Fury opted for the immediate rematch.

As a result, he was stripped of the IBF title with the governing body ordering Glazkov to fight Martin for a vacant title.

The Russian boxer was the favourite heading into the bout with Martin a sizable underdog.

(Joshua took inspiration from the late, great Muhammad Ali on his ring attire. Image: PA)

But it was Martin who claimed the belt after Glazkov suffered a freak injury preventing him from continuing in the third round.

Almost by default, Martin would go into the record books as a heavyweight world champion.

And he wasted no time returning to the ring to face Joshua. Martin cashed out, taking a huge payday to cross the pond to defend the IBF strap against the budding superstar.

Joshua himself wasted no time in getting rid of his opponent. In his 16th professional fight, he scored his 16th straight knockout win, stopping Martin in clinical fashion midway through round two in front of a raucous O2 Arena.

(Speed kills. Joshua tags Martin with a blistering right-hook. Image: PA)

It was just a few years removed from his heroics in his home-Olympic games where he won a gold medal.

Joshua became just the second British fighter to secure an Olympic gold medal and win a world title, following in the footsteps of James DeGale.

One year later, Joshua has successfully, and easily, defended his title by rampaging his way through the stubborn Dominic Breazeale then thrashing Eric Molina.

He now fights for his second world title while facing the stiffest test of his career in the shape of former undisputed king Klitschko, at a record-capacity Wembley Stadium.

(Team Joshua celebrate claiming the IBF title. Image: PA)

The Watford-native is one of the biggest names in British sports not to mention one of the biggest draws in boxing.

At the age of 26, he won his first world title, can the 27-year-old now make it two world titles in two years by collecting the WBA super-title?

April 29th can't come soon enough!

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Anthony Joshua, Boxing