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Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko as it happened: Champion delivers stunning stoppage in eleventh

Re-live updates from the world heavyweight title fight at Wembley

Mark Critchley
Wembley
Saturday 29 April 2017 14:59 BST
Joshua intends to defend his IBF title against the former champion
Joshua intends to defend his IBF title against the former champion (Getty)

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Anthony Joshua meets Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley on Saturday night in an eagerly-anticipated world heavyweight title bout.

When is it?

The fight will take place on Saturday 29 April at Wembley in London.

What time will it start?

Joshua and Klitschko are expected to begin their entrances to the ring at approximately 9.25pm, with the fight itself starting at 10.00pm.

Where can I watch it?

The main event and the undercard will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Alternatively, you can bookmark this article, which will become The Independent’s live blog.

Who’s on the undercard?

Scott Quigg vs Viorel Simion
WBA international featherweight title

Luke Campbell vs Darleys Perez

Katie Taylor vs Nina Meinke

Lawrence Okolie vs Russ Henshaw

Joe Cordina vs Sergej Vib

Josh Kelly vs Faheem Khan

What are their records?

Wins, wins by knockout, losses, draws

Joshua: W18 KO18 L0 D0

Klitschko: W64 KO53 L4 D0

What’s on the line?

Joshua is the reigning IBF world heavyweight title holder, a belt that Klitschko lost in defeat to Tyson Fury in November 2015.

Fury was subsequently stripped of the belt after failing to fight mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov. Charles Martin, who beat Glazkov, then lost his first defence of the belt to Joshua.

The WBA (Super) and vacant IBO world heavyweight titles, both previously held by Fury, will also be on the line.

Who will win?

What are the odds?

Odds provided by 888.com

Joshua: 11/25

Klitschko: 15/8

Joshua points: 11/2

Joshua stoppage: 7/10

Klitschko points: 6/1

Klitschko stoppage: 7/2

Round seven: One punch could do it. Big response from Klitschko in the fifth, Joshua returns in kind in the sixth, what will come in the seventh?

Klitschko looking fresher, Joshua rigid again, keeping out of range. Klitschko closing in, teasing with the jab, Joshua's defences are sound. On the backfoot, doing no punching, clinches, pulled apart by our referee.

Klitschko looking for a big hit but can't find one. Joshua not offering anything adventurous, Klitschko in control. He takes this round, much quieter than the last two.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 22:29

Round eight: Rob McCracken thinks Klitschko hasn't got anything left. Not sure he was watching the same round. Joshua struggling with Klitschko.

Joshua into eighth round for first time as a professional. He looks uncomfortable. Big right hand from Klitschko but Joshua handles it, recovers to come forward, nothing pretty but he lands a couple. Klitshcko still in control though, his round.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 22:34

Round nine: A lot of clinches, both men tired. Klitschko gliding around the ring, taking Joshua where he pleases. Joshua comes forward though tries to get through but doesn't find much success. 

Number of punches dropping by the round, Joshua can't find range with Klitschko footwork too neat for him, but he's the busier. Just about his, I'd say.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 22:38

Round ten: Joshua fires a one-two from the bell but falls short. Klitschko eats a right, Joshua fires another over the top, Klitschko counters with one of his own. Klitschko's grip on the fight slipping a little, manages to land at short range after something of a slip. Another tight round, Klitschko finishes strongly.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 22:42

Round eleven: Big brilliant right from Joshua rocks Klitschko, he holds on, legs unsteady, one big one from Joshua could finish it. Still, he recovers.

Joshua searches again, massive right uppercut! Klitschko down again! Up for the count, takes the eight. Come back, Klitschko down again! He takes another count. Joshua searches for a big right to finish it, finds it. Referee stops the contest, waved off. Joshua wins!

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 22:45

Anthony Joshua beats Wladimir Klitschko by stoppage in the eleventh round!

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 22:45

Stunning. Brilliant fight.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 22:50

Joshua needed a knockout. Every scorecard said it. He found it.

I thought the further it went, the less likely he was to find the killer blow. I was wrong.

A turnaround worthy of the title, 'heavyweight champion of the world'.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 22:56

OK, scratch that, apparently Joshua was ahead on two of the judges' cards? How?

Not that it matters. The man himself certainly isn't concerned, and after gracefully thanking Klitschko, he calls out Fury. That's what we want to hear.

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 22:58

"What can I say? 19-0, three and a half years in the game. As I said, I'm not perfect but I'm trying and if you don't take part you're going to fail," he says.

"As boxing states: you leave your ego at the door and you respect your opponent. So a massive shout out to Wladimir Klitschko." 

Mark Critchley29 April 2017 22:59

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