Carlos Takam lost to Anthony Joshua after a 10th– round stoppage which saw the Nigerian descent and British boxer retain his WBA ‘super’ and IBF heavyweight titles.
It was organized on short notice as Takam replaced injured Kubrat Pulev days before the fight with the belief that a win could go either way. The first round went to Joshua although less action was witnessed as he got in close only to let the shots brush up against the arms of Takam who brought in close to nothing.
Round two saw more action as Takam occasionally sent jabs down low. Joshua after stalking the Cameroonian sent him right down the pipe and the left rocks. Takam also went for the body and landed jabs which did not deter Joshua, but a heavy head clash led to the breaking of Joshua’s nose.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It feels hit! I couldn’t breathe. I had to keep my cool. I have to heal up and see some good doctors and crack it back into place,”[/perfectpullquote]
Joshua said.
In the third round, Joshua tried to do damage to Takam’s mid-range but nothing flush landed. Takam took a uppercut and survived another. He had a go in the fourth round with his shots brushing past Joshua’s ears on the way in. The Cameroonian sent a looping left hook which was blocked but received one back which saw him stagger down and get up immediately.
Carlos Takam received a staggering hook from Anthony Joshua who retained the IBF & WBA World Heavyweight Titles at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain. (Action Images via Reuters)
Round five was bloody – literally bloody – for Takam whose eye suffered a major cut. Joshua, however, continued sending out powerful hooks as Takam soaked in blood. Takam was lunging in from way out in the sixth round as he gained ground on Joshua and with blood all over his shorts, he landed a big one on Joshua’s body.
Joshua knew Takam was not going to let up easily because despite having blood come from both eyes, he managed to whip in a left and a right jab to push Joshua back. The bell to end the seventh round sounded just after Joshua had dropped a jab to Takam’s body.
Round eight, Joshua wanted to make a point. He sent several jabs that Takam absorbed, as the latter also replied with one of his own. By this time, Takam had blood all over his chest. The doctor once again took a look at Takam’s heavily bleeding eyes and flagged the match onwards.
Round nine, Joshua feigned then stepped back. Takam was receiving jabs while Joshua defended well when Takam fired back
In round ten, Joshua sent a huge right hook which sent Takam staggering with a continuation of shots reigning in from the world heavyweight. The referee jumped in with over five minutes to go and ended the match. Takam was furious and demanded a rematch.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“No, I don’t think it should have been stopped. I respect Anthony, he’s a great champion, the fans, and the UK fans, they’re great. I’m happy to be here. Why did he stop it? I respect the decision though. I want the rematch!”[/perfectpullquote]
Joshua had this to say, “First and foremost, Cardiff, thank you for coming out. Takam, it was a pleasure!” He added, “I come to fight, I don’t sit on the edge. Up until then, respect to Takam for putting on a show.
“I have no interest in what is going on with the officials; my job is to worry about my opponent. I was watching him and trying to break him down round by round. I think people wanted to see Takam unconscious on the floor. Am I right? I didn’t have control over the ref’s decision.”
Featured Photo: Nick Potts/PA
