Joshua knocks out Pulev to retain heavyweight titles

World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua knocked out Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev near the end of the ninth round to retain his IBF, WBO and WBA belts at Wembley Arena in London on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Briton was close to winning when he floored Pulev in the third round after a sweet right hand but the challenger recovered to test the home favorite in front of a limited crowd of 1,000.

Pulev, 39, remained dangerous, without causing Joshua many anxious moments, but there was no escape in the ninth.

Joshua landed a clubbing right upper-cut which sent Pulev to the canvas. The Bulgarian got back to his feet but Joshua connected with another huge right hand to end the contest.

(Cover: Anthony Joshua celebrates victory over Andy Ruiz Jr. during their IBF, WBA, WBO IBO World Heavyweight Title Fight at the Diriyah Season in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, December 7, 2019. /CFP)

(With input from Reuters)