Anthony Joshua's road to greatness: From Olympic gold to beating Wladimir Klitschko, the Brit's remarkable rise

The Independent takes a look back at the Brit's glittering pro career as he stands at the very top of his sport

Anthony Joshua stands atop the boxing mountain after the greatest night of his career - and what a journey it has been.

Since winning Olympic gold in 2012 and turning professional the Briton has undertaken 19 fights - all of which have seen Joshua stop his opponents inside the distance.

Victory over Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday night - a stunning 11th round stoppage after climbing off the canvas in the sixth round - is the best of his young career and established him as the pre-eminent heavyweight in the game today.

Out of those 19, five were stopped inside the first round. Emanuele Leo, Hector Alfredo Avila, Matt Legg, Michael Sprott and Gary Cornish were all unable to survive even three minutes with him.

Other than Klitschko, onlu Dillian Whyte and Dominic Breazeale have put up any form of notable resilience, taking Joshua to the seventh round respectively.

Critics have also suggested that the Briton has enjoyed an easy route to the championship but Joshua has argued to the contrary, pointing out that neither Tyson Fury and Lennox Lewis, former British heavyweight champions, were facing such titans of the sport at the respective stages of their careers.

Where it all started: Joshua in action during his 2012 Gold Olympic fight against Roberto Cammarelle (Getty)

"Look at it this way, who were Fury and Lennox fighting in their 19th fight," Joshua said ahead of Saturday's fight.

"People say I had an easy route to the championship, but I didn't have to take Charles Martin. I should have said, 'No, I'm going to defend the British title outright, I should stay where I am'. Now we are here.

"It's been a good journey, a good learning one and that's why I feel confident. We rise to the occasion each time and that's what fighting is all about. Don't back down from any challenge."

We take a look at Joshua's journey to the very top. See the gallery above for a summary of his 19 professional fights.