Anthony Joshua stamped his authority on the heavyweight division once again with a devastating ninth-round knockout over Kubrat Pulev at Wembley’s SSE Arena on December 12, 2020. In front of a raucous, COVID-limited crowd of 1,000 — and under the watchful eyes of legends like Floyd Mayweather — Joshua retained his WBA, IBF, and WBO world titles in emphatic fashion.

The clash had been a long time coming. Originally set for 2017, their first meeting fell through after Pulev withdrew with a shoulder injury just weeks before the bout, forcing Carlos Takam to step in. Fast forward to 2020, and after pandemic-related delays, the pair finally met under the bright lights.

From the outset, Joshua fought with a steely composure. The opening rounds saw the champion patiently pick his spots with a stiff jab, while Pulev, the seasoned Bulgarian veteran, sought opportunities to counter. However, it was in the third that Joshua truly shifted gears, trapping Pulev in the corner and unloading a fierce flurry that forced a standing count. A thunderous uppercut later sent Pulev to the canvas, but the challenger showcased immense grit by surviving to the bell.

Despite a spirited effort from Pulev, who even managed to steal a round on some scorecards, Joshua’s precision and poise told the story. The seventh round saw Joshua dig in heavy uppercuts, signalling the beginning of the end. Pulev, whose only prior loss came against Wladimir Klitschko, refused to yield easily, but Joshua’s relentless assault left little doubt.

The final act came in the ninth. After dropping Pulev with another sharp barrage, Joshua closed the show moments later with a perfectly-timed right hand that sent the challenger crashing down, bloodied and beaten. Pulev bravely tried to rise, but the referee waved it off, handing Joshua a spectacular knockout victory — his first inside the distance since 2018.

Now sitting at 24-1 with 22 knockouts, Joshua’s dominant performance has only intensified calls for a historic all-British clash against undefeated WBC champion Tyson Fury to crown an undisputed king.

With heavyweight boxing’s landscape on the brink of one of its greatest modern showdowns, Anthony Joshua’s statement win over Kubrat Pulev reminds the world that the road to undisputed still runs through “AJ.”