Joshua beats Carlos Takam by TKO to retain world heavyweight titles – as it happened

15h ago00:00

That’s all for now. Thanks as always for following along with us and be sure to check out Kevin Mitchell’s match reports off Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title defense and Katie Taylor’s maiden title win.

Anthony Joshua made to work but retains crown against Carlos Takam

Anthony Joshua retained his heavyweight crown but was taken to the 10th round by the Frenchman Carlos Takam, before the referee stopped the fight

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Katie Taylor too good for Anahi Esther Sánchez and takes WBA title

Katie Taylor of Ireland added the WBA lightweight title to her heaving sideboard of trophies with a flawed but hectic points win over Anahi Esther Sánchez in Cardiff

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15h ago23:32

Anthony Joshua retains his belts and moves to 20-0 with 20 knockouts, even if this was hardly the showcase that many observers expected. Shame for the ill-timed stoppage that left the champion in a defensive crouch from the first question of his in-ring interview. Joshua was the deserving winner and surely would have won on the cards, but a handful of the questions that dogged the Olympic champion into the Klitschko fight in April will no doubt resurface after tonight.

The good news? Joshua had only boxed 55 rounds professionally entering tonight’s bout. He’s added 10 more to that ledger and they were didactic ones to say the least. “He’s like Holyfield,” Joshua said of his granite-chinned foil, “coming under, popping up.” This was a difficult puzzle for the young champion and he solved it the hard way, even if the denouement left something to be desired.

 Anthony Joshua celebrates his victory and shows off his IBF, WBA & IBO Heavyweight Championship belts, which he retained. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Updated at 2.58am GMT

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15h ago23:32

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16h ago23:21

“Deontay Wilder versus Anthony Joshua has to happen,” says promoter Eddie Hearn, whose entrance is greeted by cascades of boos from the upper reaches of the Principality Stadium. “Everyone knows where we’re headed.”

He adds: “Deontay Wilder will be relieved of that belt in 2018.”

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16h ago23:18

“I have no interest in what’s going on with the officials,” Joshua says during his in-ring interview. “I just worry about my opponent. Unfortunately, the ref stopped it. I think people wanted to see Takam unconscious on the floor, am I right?

“He was getting there. I didn’t have control over the ref’s decision. We get the win and now we look forward to 2018.”

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16h ago23:14

Joshua wins. And he’s the rightful winner in a mostly one-sided affair. But that’s as poor as stoppage as you’ll see in this game. What a strange moment for the British referee Phil Edwards to intervene. Takam was coming off a round he’d won (arguably, though I scored it to him) and was firing back at the moment Edwards waved it off.

The crowd cheers for the outcome but they are hugely dissatisfied with the result. Just too bad.

 Anthony Joshua looks happy enough with the 10th-round stoppage victory. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Updated at 3.00am GMT

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16h ago23:10

Anthony Joshua wins by TKO in the 10th round!

Round 10

Some good moments from Joshua early in the 10th and ... and the referee has stepped in to intervene! It’s over! Joshua by TKO early in the 10th! And the crowd, at least initially, is not happy!

 The referee steps in to stop the fight. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

 Carlos Takam asks the referee why he stopped the fight. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images via Reuters

 Anthony Joshua celebrates his victory over Carlos Takam. Photograph: Keiran McManus/BPI/Rex/Shutterstock

Updated at 11.30pm BST

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16h ago23:07

Round 9

The bell rings for the ninth round but the ringside doctor is on the apron before Takam can get out of his corner. He’s taking a long look at the Frenchman’s eye, but he agrees he’s good to go. Takam bouncing and weaving and trying to negotiate his way inside that outrageous reach advantage of the champion. He lunges forward and lands an overhand right but it seems to slip right off the bigger man. Joshua trying to split the guard with one left jab after another. It’s not happening. A left-right combo by Takam and the left lands clean. Takam landing punches here! Three, four in succession with no answer from the champion. One tough customer. A punishing left upstairs by Joshua in the last 10 seconds but Takam seems to walk right through it. The later it goes, the more interesting it gets. A close round and we’ll give it to Takam.

Unofficial score: Joshua 9-10 Takam (Joshua 88-82 Takam)

 Anthony Joshua takes evasive action as Carlos Takam fights back. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Updated at 3.02am GMT

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16h ago23:03

Round 8

The referee calls time and instructs Joshua’s corner to fix the tape on his right glove. The crowd whistles impatiently. Joshua continues to jab, targeting the right eye of Takam which is bleeding steadily. A big left hook by Joshua rocks Takam. Then another! But he’s still in there throwing punches. Wow. Massive shots, those. Takam bouncing on the balls of his heels while Joshua looks a bit tired, though with a half-minute yet this is a clear Joshua round, thanks in large part to excellent body work. Joshua’s gloves covered in blood.

Unofficial score: Joshua 10-9 Takam (Joshua 79-72 Takam)

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16h ago22:59

Round 7

Takam in survival mode. He’s doing body work in spurts and an atypically sloppy Joshua has thus far been unable to close the show. More good jabbing from Joshua, but he’s breathing a bit heavy past the midpoint. Takam landing some clean shots here. And a few more in combination! Joshua smiles them off but this is a fight. A round that could have gone either way with Joshua appearing to pace himself (correctly) and we’ll tip it to the challenger.

Unofficial score: Joshua 9-10 Takam (Joshua 69-63 Takam)

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16h ago22:55

Round 6

Joshua continuing to close in on Takam. He throws a combination but Takam claps back with a left upstairs. Now he bursts forward and misses with a combination. Last stand, feels like. Joshua looking collected as ever, jabbing, jabbing, jabbing away with the left and looking for an opening. Takam rushes in and clubs a right to Joshua’s body but it doesn’t seem to affect the champion one bit. Another left downstairs from Takam right on the beltline, but Joshua fires back and lands a right upstairs. Takam now in a variation of the Philly shell or crab defense with the right hand guarding his face and the left to his body. Joshua landing away with the hook almost at will, but none of the more than 74,500 on hand can question Takam’s toughness.

Unofficial score: Joshua 10-9 Takam (Joshua 60-53 Takam)

 Anthony Joshua tussles with Carlos Takam. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

Updated at 11.02pm BST

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22:50

Round 5

Another nervy star. Just as the action picks up, the referee calls time and calls for the ringside doctor to inspect the cut over his right eye. The doctor is satisfied and the fight continues. Takam rushes in and Joshua lands a right uppercut that doesn’t appear to faze the challenger, incredibly. Better combination punching from Joshua here. An AJ combo finds nothing but leather upstairs but he follows with a hook to the body that stops Takam in his tracks, then a right to the head when Takam drops his guard. Two more big shots to the body and those shots will most certainly take their toll. Takam makes it out of the round but his face is a bloody mess and he’s lost the spring in his step. Not much longer now, we feel safe in predicting.

Unofficial score: Joshua 10-9 Takam (Joshua 50-44 Takam)

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16h ago22:46

Takam down in round four!

Round 4

So far this one won’t be sent to Canastota. Limited action as Joshua continues to try and measure and look for an opening while Takam remains uncommitall to closing the distance. And just like that Takam barrels in and just misses with a right as Joshua lands a counter right that awakens the crowd. Joshua tries to follow up on it and can’t land anything flush as the crowd bursts into cheers. A big right by Joshua. Takam is cut over the right eye. And Takam goes down! A left hook just at the end of the round and Takam’s round touches the canvas. Referee gives an eight count and the bell rings before Joshua can follow it up.

Unofficial score: Joshua 10-8 Takam (Joshua 40-35 Takam)

 Carlos Takam has a breather after being knocked down by Anthony Joshua. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

Updated at 10.52pm BST

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16h ago22:42

Round 3

Joshua continues to move forward, measuring Takam and looking for an opening. A beautiful counter by Joshua to start the stanza. Takam beats him to the punch with a straight left that lands upstairs, but doesn’t deter the champon. Joshua traps Takam in a neutral corner and tries to open up, but Takam escaped before damage can be done. Lots of bobbing from Takam, trying to make himself an elusive target. Joshua traps him in the red corner and lets fly another combination but Takam escapes again. Now Takam rushes in and lands a soft right before missing a left uppercut wildly and spinning away before Joshua can counter. Joshua’s nose really gushing from that accidental butt. Takam constantly leading with the head and it’s something AJ will have to solve. Joshua headhunting early but he’s done enough to win another round.

Unofficial score: Joshua 10-9 Takam (Joshua 30-27 Takam)

 Anthony Joshua goes on the offensive as Carlos Takam covers up. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Updated at 10.49pm BST

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16h ago22:38

Round 2

Joshua continues where he left off, stalking Takam and pawing with the left and trying to set up the leviathan right. Takam barrels forward and tries to land something but finds all leather. Now Joshua lands a hook to the body that gets the crowd buzzing. Perhaps a sign of things to come: no doubt Joshua will look to catch Takam with a counter right when he comes rushing in at some point. Joshua appears to be bleeding from the left nostril after an apparent head butt. The size difference is even more harrowing in person than on TV. Joshua now landing: he touches Takam with an uppercut that wobbles the Frenchman ever so slightly. Another round for Joshua.

Unofficial score: Joshua 10-9 Takam (Joshua 20-18 Takam)

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16h ago22:34

Round 1

A bit of a feeling-out patch from both men to start. Joshua pawing with the left jab, moving Takam backward steadily, then stepping in and trying to fire a left-right combo. Takam moving steadily in reverse. He throws his first punch and it’s a wide looping hook to the body that does nothing. Joshua clearly trying to set up the big right. Takam barely lands a slow right upstairs. Joshua looks a bit slower than we’re used to, perhaps a product of the career-high weight (254lbs) he’s carrying. Hardly a significant punch to speak of in the opener, but Joshua was clearly dictating the action and surely threw more punches.

Unofficial score: Joshua 10-9 Takam (Joshua 10-9 Takam)

 Anthony Joshua lands a left on Carlos Takam. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Updated at 10.41pm BST

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16h ago22:30

The intros are done, the seconds are out. We’ll pick it up with round-by-round coverage from here!

Updated at 10.30pm BST

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16h ago22:26

And here comes Joshua, wearing a white robe with black trim and megawatt smile, making the long walk without musical accompaniment. Unclear whether it’s a technical difficulty or an artistic choice, but he’s instead carried into the squared circle by the roars of 74,500 supporters. And there he is!

 Anthony Joshua makes his way to the ring. Photograph: Keiran McManus/BPI/Rex/Shutterstock

Updated at 10.32pm BST

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17h ago22:20

Takam makes his pyrotechnic-bolstered entrance to I Can by Nas. A song that came out before Joshua was a teenager. The generational divide is strong with these two. He’s made it into the ring wearing black trunks with silver trim and matching shawl.

 Carlos Takam’s looks pretty chipper as he makes his way to the ring. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images via Reuters

Updated at 10.29pm BST

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17h ago22:16

The pre-game singing of Sweet Caroline is complete and Michael Buffer is in the ring to kick off the ringwalks. Not much longer now. (Or, rather, maybe quite a bit longer if Joshua’s last entrance against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley is any indicator.)

 Everyone is getting ready for the main event. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images via Reuters

Updated at 10.27pm BST

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17h ago22:12

Tale of the tape

If you’re just dropping in, you might be wondering: Who is Carlos Takam? And how did he get a shot at the title? Fair questions, those. When the IBF’s mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev was forced to pull out with an injured pectoral, Takam was next in the sanctioning body’s rankings at No3, which ensures Joshua will keep that belt (if he wins, which he’s widely expected to) and stay on course for a glitzy unification bout down the road. Now, the France-based Cameroonian has done little to justify that lofty standing even if he’s had a bit of a experience in the vicinity of the division’s top flight: a draw with Mike Perez followed by unanimous-decision win over Tony Thompson, which set the table for a 10th-round knockout loss to Alexander Povetkin that can fairly be called into question given the Russian’s subsequent woes with performance-enhancing drugs. But ll three of those plot points happened in 2014 and he’s done little of note since, save for a dull points loss to Joseph Parker for the vacant WBO title. Still, Takam is at least on paper a credible opponent and the show will go on. Here’s how they measure up.

Joshua v Takam

28 Age 36
Watford, UK Hometown Noisy-le-Grand, France
19/0 W/L/D 35/3/1
19 Knockouts 27
6ft 6in Height 6ft 1½in
254lb Weight 235lb
82in Reach 80½in
55 Rounds 184
Orthodox Stance Orthodox