Joshua: Anthony Joshua takes IBF title with swift stoppage win

By Richard Damerell

Anthony Joshua stopped Charles Martin in the second round to become the new IBF world heavyweight champion

Anthony Joshua was crowned as the new IBF world heavyweight champion after a stunning second-round stoppage of Charles Martin.

The 2012 Olympic hero added a world title to his gold medal after dethroning the American champion with another explosive early win at The O2.

Image: Joshua receives the IBF title after stopping Charles Martin

Joshua had risked his golden reputation in just his 16th fight, but his high-stakes challenge against Martin proved shrewd and could be rewarded with lucrative future fights against the likes of Tyson Fury and David Haye.

Image: Joshua knocked Martin down twice in the second round

Frank Bruno and Haye - two British heavyweight heroes - watched the latest title hopeful, who walked to the ring in white robes in a tribute to his childhood idol Muhammad Ali.

'Prince Charles' Martin made his entrance to the arena with a crown on his head, but he would lose his confident swagger and the title within just six minutes.

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Image: Martin buckled under the speed and power of Joshua's right hand

Joshua waited patiently before unloading his heavy artillery, edging into range on his front foot, and then fired out a right hand that rocked Martin's head back.

Another swift straight right sent Martin scuttling backwards and he briefly became entangled in the ropes as Joshua menacingly moved after his ungainly opponent.

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Image: Joshua smiled regularly as he picked Martin apart

Robbed of his confident smile, Martin could only reply with a solitary left hand, and the bell offered him a few welcome seconds of respite.

Charles Martin said the better man won after Joshua stopped him in the second round

But Joshua would not be denied for long and brought a dramatic halt to the action in the second round.

A booming right hand ripped through Martin's defences, dropping him heavily to the canvas, and he looked shocked by the power of his British challenger.

Image: Joshua became world champion in only his 16th professional fight

Martin clambered to his feet, only to be floored again by that ferocious right, and his defiant smile could not disguise his unsteady legs and the referee signalled the start of Joshua's reign as champion.

The fight night panel discuss what the future holds for Joshua
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