Anthony Joshua knocks out Kubrat Pulev to edge closer to dream fight against Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua has retained his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles after a ninth round knockout win against Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev inside the SSE Arena in Wembley on Saturday night.

Pulev was floored four times in a dramatic and entertaining contest, which would hopefully set up an undisputed fight between Joshua and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury next year.

The fight began with a cagey opener as both men appeared hesitant and exchanged jabs.

The fight exploded into action in the third as Joshua hammered Pulev with a hard right hand and followed up with a series of power punches.

Pulev caught the champion with a right hand in round eight and appeared occasionally dangerous, just as his opponent did vulnerable.

But Joshua found another knockdown in round nine and then ended the night with a brutal right hand which put Pulev down for the count.