Anthony Joshua proves once again he is the most exciting heavyweight on the planet; but is he the best?

Anthony Joshua proves once again he is the most exciting heavyweight on the planet; but is he the best?

He has fought just twice this year, but how Anthony Joshua entertained us, thrilled us and given us value for money in doing so. There seems to be little doubt AJ, the WBA/IBF heavyweight ruler, is THE most consistently exciting big man on the planet today.

Some fans will point to WBC champ Deontay Wilder, but never has Wilder given us the kind of sustained action Joshua gave us last night in finally (and via premature stoppage) getting rid of an incredibly game Carlos Takam, as well as earlier in the year in his titanic, off the floor win over Wladimir Klitschko.

Team-Parker liked what they saw in Joshua-Takam battle, more convinced than ever Joseph beats AJ

Team-Parker liked what they saw in Joshua-Takam battle, more convinced than ever Joseph beats AJ

It can often prove to be a tricky assignment facing a late replacement foe after having spent weeks training to prepare for another fighter with totally different physical dimensions coupled with a different fighting style, and WBA/IBF heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua found this out last night in Cardiff.

Joshua got the job done in the end, winning practically every round before stopping (via terribly premature stoppage) a game Carlos Takam, but the critics have come out in force nonetheless. Expected by almost everyone to have a relatively easy time of things with Takam (who replaced an injured Kubrat Pulev) Joshua instead had to dig deep, take a few shots and find his second wind. As a result, the AJ critics have offered some harsh words.

Anthony Joshua stops incredibly gutsy Carlos Takam in tenth-round; Takam cries premature stoppage, crowd unhappy

Anthony Joshua stops incredibly gutsy Carlos Takam in tenth-round; Takam cries premature stoppage, crowd unhappy

Tonight in Cardiff, in a fight that surpassed ALL expectations, IBF/WBA heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua finally overcame an incredibly gutsy late Carlos Takam; a late replacement foe for the injured Kubrat Pulev.

The end came in the 10th round, as Takam, bleeding from both eyes, was under fire. Still, the stoppage angered Takam and a large section of the massive crowd who booed the stoppage decision from the British referee. Joshua is now 20-0(20). Takam falls to 35-4-1(27).

Results: Joshua defeats Takam in premature stoppage

Results: Joshua defeats Takam in premature stoppage

Undefeated and Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua stopped IBF mandatory challenger Carlos Takam in the 10th round on Saturday night at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, where the British sensation improved to 20 wins, all by knockout, and retained both his IBF and WBA world title belts.

Joshua vs. Takam was contested before a record 78,000 fans, the largest ever for an indoor boxing event and was the first of back-to-back heavyweight world title fights airing live on SHOWTIME. Next Saturday, Nov. 4, WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder headlines a three-fight telecast when he faces former world champion Bermane Stiverne at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

Who is “the guy”?

Who is "the guy"?

Tomorrow’s fight is little more than a prelude to British boxer Anthony Joshua versus American Deontay Wilder. Perhaps the most exciting fight of tomorrow night is the one between The Finn, Robert Helenius against British-Jamaican, Dillian Whyte. Luckily for the boxing world Anthony Joshua, who boasts a 100% K.O ratio will be on American PPV as well. This is vital as it is building his notoriety in America and promoting an inevitable clash between Wilder and “AJ”.

Joshua / Takam Final Weights, Video, Photos & Quotes

Joshua / Takam Final Weights, Video, Photos & Quotes

Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua tipped the scales at a career-high 254 pounds and IBF mandatory challenger Carlos Takam measured 235 ½ pounds for their heavyweight showdown tomorrow on SHOWTIME. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT from sold-out Principality Stadium in Cardiff where an estimated 78,000 fans will converge for the largest indoor event in boxing history.

Sky’s The Limit for Anthony Joshua

Sky’s The Limit for Anthony Joshua

Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sports posses arguably the biggest star in boxing (especially worldwide) a rarity for a fighter whom resides in the United Kingdom. Of course an argument could be made for Canelo Alvarez who fights in the states where the PPV cost is 3 to 4 times more expensive. Either way Anthony Joshua has that ‘IT’ factor written all over him. He’s got the looks, the power, and in his last outing showed how big of a heart he has. That’s not to say AJ doesn’t have any weaknesses he surely does.

Deontay Wilder has a change of heart, ready to “see” Dillian Whyte to secure mega-fight with Joshua

Deontay Wilder has a change of heart, ready to “see” Dillian Whyte to secure mega-fight with Joshua

Fans may have read about British promoter Eddie Hearn’s offer to WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder: take a (high paying) defence against London’s Dillian Whyte and then, if victorious, get the massive unification fight with WBA/IBF ruler Anthony Joshua.

Wilder initially balked at such a notion, as did his US promoter Lou DiBella; who stated how Whyte is “irrelevant in the career of Deontay Wilder.” But now, going by what “The Bronze Bomber” had to say to Sky Sports, things might well have changed. It seems Wilder – who must get past former champ Bermane Stiverne in a rematch next Saturday before he can even think about fighting anyone else – is now interested in getting it on with the once-beaten Whyte.