Anthony Joshua defended his IBF heavyweight title for the first time with a seventh-round knockout of Dominic Breazeale in London.
The unbeaten American was incredibly game, standing up to some brutal assaults by the champion, who now has 17 knockouts from as many fights.
But after Breazeale was floored for a second time in the seventh, the referee waved the fight off.
Joshua’s mandatory challenger is New Zealand’s Joseph Parker.
Fellow Briton David Price is another viable option.
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, told Sky Sports: “It’s been tough. I only had two weeks off after my last fight and got straight back in the gym. I can have a nice little break for once and come back with recharged batteries.”
The 6ft 7in Breazeale held a height and weight advantage over Joshua and was unbeaten in 17 pro fights, although he had fought nobody of note.
In his previous contest, he had been knocked down by Amir Mansour and was well behind on the scorecards when the 43-year-old was forced to retire with breathing problems.
The opening round did not produce much in the way of action, although Breazeale was stiffened by a sharp left hook, which did not bode well.
And he was in all sorts of trouble in the second, sent reeling by a huge right hand and just managing to make it through to the end of the round.
But in the third, Breazeale demonstrated he was nothing if not game, firing back when Joshua appeared to have him where he wanted on the ropes.
The challenger was on unsteady legs again in the fifth after Joshua landed with a vicious left hook and the challenger finally fell under a fusillade of punches in the seventh.
Breazeale clambered to his feet but was down again a few seconds later, persuading the referee to call a halt to proceedings.
It was only the second time Joshua, 26, had gone past three rounds – he was also taken seven rounds by fellow Briton Dillian Whyte last December.
Joshua won the title with a second-round knockout of American Charles Martin in April. – BBC.
