Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam

Last updated

Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam
Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam.jpg
Date28 October 2017
Venue Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
Title(s) on the line WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles
Tale of the tape
Boxer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Joshua Flag of France.svg Carlos Takam
Nickname "AJ"
Hometown Watford, Hertfordshire, UK Douala, Littoral, Cameroon
Purse £10,000,000
Pre-fight record 19–0 (19 KO) 35–3–1 (27 KO)
Age 28 years 36 years, 10 months
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 254 lb (115 kg) 235 lb (107 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBA (Super), IBF and IBO
Heavyweight Champion
The Ring/TBRB
No. 1 Ranked Heavyweight
IBF
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight
TBRB
No. 6 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Joshua defeated Takam by 10th round TKO

Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam was a professional boxing match contested on 28 October 2017, for the WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO heavyweight championship. The bout took place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Joshua defeated Takam, retaining his heavyweight titles via tenth-round technical knockout (TKO).

Contents

Background

Following Joshua's win over Wladimir Klitschko in April 2017, unifying the WBA (Super) and IBF titles and capturing the IBO, the IBF granted Joshua an exemption from fighting their mandatory challenger, Kubrat Pulev, in order to allow Joshua to fulfil a contractual rematch obligation with Klitschko. [1] After Klitschko announced his retirement on 3 August, [2] the IBF ordered Joshua to negotiate a deal with Pulev by 3 September. [3] On 5 September, Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, officially announced Joshua vs. Pulev would take place on 28 October at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. [4]

Less than two weeks before the fight, rumours began to circulate that Pulev had suffered an injury, putting the fight in jeopardy. [5] The rumours proved to be true, leading Hearn to announce that Takam had stepped in to replace Pulev with just 12 days notice. Hearn also revealed that during the initial negotiations with Pulev, he had also been negotiating with Takam to be held in reserve as a replacement in the event that Pulev pulled out. [6]

The fights

Undercard

The preliminary bouts featured wins for prospects Lawrence Okolie and Joshua Buatsi. The first bout on the PPV card saw Frank Buglioni defend his British light-heavyweight title against unbeaten contender Craig Richards, who came in as a late replacement for Commonwealth champion Callum Johnson, who pulled out a week before the fight due to a medical condition. [7] Buglioni's work rate would see him grind out a wide unanimous decision victory with scores of two scores of 117–111 and one of 116–113. [8]

Yafai vs. Ishida

The first world title bout on the card saw WBA super-flyweight champion Khalid Yafai make the second defence of his title against No. 1 ranked Sho Ishida. [9]

The fight

Despite having a height advantage over the champion, Ishida was unable to deal the with speed of Yafai. The fight went the distance and Yafai was awarded an unanimous decision victory with scores of 118–110, 116–112 and 116–112. [10]

Sánchez vs. Taylor

The next bout saw former two-weight world champion Anahí Ester Sánchez face 2012 Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor. Sánchez was set to defend her WBA lightweight title on the night, however, she failed to make weight and was subsequently stripped with the title on the line for Taylor only. [11]

The fight

After controlling the first round with her speed and power, Taylor dropped the former champion to the canvas with a body shot in the second. Sánchez was hurt again in the next round after a right hand from Taylor caused her to stagger. Sánchez had some success in the fifth, landing right hands to force Taylor onto the back foot. Taylor regained control for the rest of the fight to secure a wide unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the bout 99–90 to hand Taylor her first world title. [12] [13]

Preceded by
vs. Jasmine Clarkson
Katie Taylor's bouts
28 October 2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by
vs. Cecilia Sofia Mena
Anahí Ester Sánchez's bouts
28 October 2017
Succeeded by
vs. Ruth Stephanie Aquino

Whyte vs. Helenius

The chief support saw WBC International champion Dillian Whyte (WBC:3rd IBF:5th WBO:6th WBA:8th) face former 2 time European heavyweight champion Robert Helenius (IBF:7th WBC:16th) for the WBC Silver belt. [14] [15]

The fight

Helenius started the fight well hurting Whyte in the second round. Whyte bounced back and dominated the remainder of the fight with Helenius reluctant to throw anything meaningful to win the rounds.

Whyte would win an unanimous decision with scorecards reading 119–109 twice, and 118–110. [16] [17]

Preceded by Dillian Whyte's bouts
28 October 2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by
vs. Evgeny Orlov
Robert Helenius's bouts
28 October 2017
Succeeded by
vs. Yury Bykhautsou

Main Event

Joshua and Takam in action Joshua v Takem.JPG
Joshua and Takam in action

Round one saw little action, with Joshua taking the centre of the ring while Takam remained on the back foot. The second round saw Joshua increase his punch output following an accidental headbutt, causing blood to flow from Joshua's nose. After a slow third round, the action picked up in the fourth with both fighters increasing their punch output. Takam received a cut above his right eye from a left hook early in the round. In the final 20 seconds, Joshua landed a solid counter left hook which caused Takam to stumble and touch the canvas with his right glove, scoring a knockdown for Joshua.

The champion began landing punches on Takam with more frequency in the fifth. A minute into the round, referee Phil Edwards called a halt to the action to allow the ringside doctor to examine the cut above Takam's right eye. After a brief examination, Edwards resumed the contest. Despite being cut above the left eye in the seventh, Takam was able to land a few punches on the champion. At the beginning of the ninth round, Edwards once again halted the action to allow the ringside doctor to examine the cuts above Takam's eyes. With the doctor deeming Takam fit to continue, Edwards resumed the contest.

The end came in the tenth after Joshua landed several unanswered punches on Takam, prompting Edwards to call off the fight, with Joshua retaining his titles via technical knockout. [18]

Aftermath

Speaking after the bout Joshua said "I come to fight. I don't sit on the edge and make decisions. It was a good fight until the ref stopped it, so I have the utmost respect for Takam. People want to see Takam unconscious on the floor, and that's what I was trying to get to." Takam would call for another shot at the champion saying "I want a rematch. I made my preparations with 12 days to fight Anthony. I want to box him again. I want him. He is a great champion."

While some criticized the stoppage, BBC boxing correspondent Mike Costello didn't, saying "I don't have a problem with it. Surely with the blood flowing the way it was, Takam could barely have seen. I've seen too many sob stories at this stage of a fight for me to complain about that stoppage." [19]

Fight card

Confirmed bouts: [20] [21] [22]

Weight Classvs.MethodRoundTimeNotes
Heavyweight Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Joshua (c)def. Flag of France.svg Carlos Takam TKO10/121:34 Note 1
Heavyweight Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dillian Whyte def. Flag of Finland.svg Robert Helenius UD12 Note 2
Lightweight Flag of Ireland.svg Katie Taylor def. Flag of Argentina.svg Anahí Ester Sánchez UD10 Note 3
Super-flyweight Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Khalid Yafai (c)def. Flag of Japan.svg Sho IshidaUD12 Note 4
Light-heavyweight Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Buglioni (c)def. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Craig Richards UD12 Note 5
Preliminary bouts
Light-heavyweight Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joshua Buatsi def. Flag of France.svg Saidou SallPTS6
Cruiserweight Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lawrence Okolie def. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adam WilliamsTKO3/62:28
Non-TV bouts
Lightweight Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joe Cordina def. Flag of Nicaragua.svg Lester CantillanoPTS4
Unfought floater bouts
Heavyweight Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Allen vs. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Scott SawardN/a6

^Note 1 For WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles
^Note 2 For vacant WBC Silver heavyweight title
^Note 3 For vacant WBA lightweight title
^Note 4 For WBA super-flyweight title
^Note 5 For British light-heavyweight title

Broadcasting

CountryBroadcaster
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Fox Sports
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada DAZN
Flag of France.svg  France Canal+
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany RTL
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Sport 2
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland Sky Sports
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Sky Sport
Flag of Panama.svg  Panama Cable Onda Sports
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Sky Sports
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Showtime

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Povetkin</span> Russian boxer (born 1979)

Alexander Vladimirovich "Sasha" Povetkin is a Russian former professional boxer who competed from 2005 to 2021. He held the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title from 2011 to 2013; the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title from 2020 to 2021; and challenged twice for the unified heavyweight championship in 2013 and 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kubrat Pulev</span> Bulgarian boxer (born 1981)

Kubrat Venkov Pulev is a Bulgarian professional boxer. He has held the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title since 2024. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the European title twice between 2012 and 2016. As an amateur, he won multiple medals at international tournaments, including gold at the 2008 European Championships and bronze at the 2005 World Championships, all in the super-heavyweight division. He also represented Bulgaria at the 2008 Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Helenius</span> Finnish boxer (born 1984)

Robert Gabriel Helenius is a Finnish professional boxer. He has held multiple regional championships in the heavyweight division, including the European title twice between 2011 and 2016. As an amateur, he won a super-heavyweight silver medal at the 2006 European Championships. He holds notable wins over former world heavyweight champions Lamon Brewster, Samuel Peter, and Siarhei Liakhovich.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Chisora</span> British boxer (born 1983)

Derek Chisora is a Zimbabwean-British professional boxer. He has challenged twice for the WBC heavyweight title in 2012 and 2022. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the British and Commonwealth titles from 2010 to 2011, and the European title from 2013 to 2014. As an amateur, he won the ABA super-heavyweight title in 2006. He holds a notable win over world heavyweight champion Kubrat Pulev.

Boxing in the 2010s includes notable events about boxing which occurred between 2010 and 2019. The decade saw high intensity action in the welterweight division. The match between veterans Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao broke PPV records. The broadcast of the fight in the Philippines was watched by nearly half the country's households. Mayweather retired at a record 50-0-0 while Pacquiao became the first eight division champion. The middleweight division saw immense action in the later years of the decade. After a draw in 2017, Canelo Alvarez ended Gennady Golovkin's long reign in 2018. The heavyweight division was dominated by Klitschko brothers before Wladimir's loss to Tyson Fury in 2015. Other talents that emerged were Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksander Usyk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Joshua</span> British boxer (born 1989)

Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua is a British professional boxer. He held the unified world heavyweight championship twice between 2016 and 2021. At regional level, he held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles from 2015 to 2016.

Dillian Whyte is a British professional boxer who has formerly competed as a kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He has held the WBC interim heavyweight title twice between 2019 and 2022. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the British title from 2016 to 2017.

Lawrence Okolie is a British professional boxer. He has held world championships in two weight classes, including the World Boxing Council (WBC) bridgerweight title in 2024, and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight title from 2021 to 2023. At regional level, he held the Commonwealth title twice between 2018 and 2019; the British title from 2018 to 2019; and the European title in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dillian Whyte vs. Óscar Rivas</span> Boxing match

Dillian Whyte vs. Óscar Rivas was a heavyweight professional boxing match contested between Dillian Whyte and Óscar Rivas for the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title. The event took place on 20 July 2019 at The O2 Arena in London. After the fight, it was reported that Dillian Whyte tested positive for a substance banned by UK-Anti Doping (UKAD) during training for the fight. However, UKAD released a statement in December 2019, fully exonerating Whyte of any wrong-doing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua</span> Boxing match

Charles Martin vs Anthony Joshua was a professional boxing match contested between the undefeated and newly crowned IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin, and undefeated Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua. The bout took place on 9 April 2016 at The O2 Arena, London. Joshua defeated Martin via second-round knockout (KO) to claim the IBF heavyweight title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev</span> 2020 professional boxing match

Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev, was a heavyweight professional boxing match contested between defending unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO world champion Anthony Joshua and IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev. The event took place on 12 December 2020 at Wembley Arena in London. Joshua retained his titles via ninth-round knockout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Joshua vs. Éric Molina</span> Boxing competition

Anthony Joshua vs. Éric Molina was a heavyweight professional boxing match contested between undefeated IBF champion Anthony Joshua, and the IBF's number 7 ranked contender and former world title challenger, Éric Molina. The bout took place on 10 December 2016 at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. Joshua defeated Molina, retaining his heavyweight title via third-round technical knockout (TKO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Joshua vs. Dillian Whyte</span> Boxing match

Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte, billed as Bad Intentions, was a heavyweight professional boxing match contested between undefeated Commonwealth and World Boxing Council (WBC) International champion Anthony Joshua, and undefeated WBC International Silver champion Dillian Whyte, with Joshua's Commonwealth and WBC International, and the vacant British titles on the line. The bout took place on 12 December 2015 at The O2 Arena in London, England. Joshua defeated Whyte, adding the British title to his Commonwealth and WBC International titles title via seventh-round technical knockout (TKO).

Anahí Ester Sánchez is an Argentine professional boxer. She is a three-weight world champion, having held the IBF female super-featherweight title in 2016; the WBA female lightweight title in 2017; and the WBA female super lightweight title in 2019. She also held the WBA interim female featherweight title in 2015 and the WBA interim female super-lightweight title from 2018 to 2019, and challenged for the WBC and IBF female super-featherweight, and WBC female super-lightweight titles between 2016 and 2019.

Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua is a proposed heavyweight professional boxing superfight competition contested between former unified heavyweight champion and former WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, and former 2-time WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO unified heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua. Fury and Joshua have shared a long-running and at times bitter rivalry, leading to their highly-anticipated fight being dubbed as the "Biggest fight in British boxing history" and "The Battle of Britain". However, despite widespread public demand for the fight and numerous years of speculation and negotiations, as of January 2025, no agreement has been reached which secured a fight between the two heavyweights.

Boxing in the 2020s is a list of notable fights and events in boxing during the decade from the year 2020 to 2029.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dillian Whyte vs. Derek Chisora II</span> Boxing match

Dillian Whyte vs. Derek Chisora II, billed as The Brawl To Settle It All, was a professional boxing match contested between WBC Silver and WBO International heavyweight champion, Dillian Whyte, and Derek Chisora. The bout took place on 22 December 2018 at The O2 Arena, with Whyte winning by knockout in the eleventh round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius</span> Boxing match

Anthony Joshua vs. Robert Helenius, was a heavyweight professional boxing match between former WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua and Robert Helenius.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dillian Whyte vs. Joseph Parker</span> Boxing match

Dillian Whyte vs. Joseph Parker, was a professional boxing match contested on 28 July 2018, for the WBC Silver and WBO International heavyweight titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dillian Whyte vs. Lucas Browne</span> Boxing match

Dillian Whyte vs. Lucas Browne was a professional boxing match contested on 24 March 2018, for the WBC Silver heavyweight championship.

References

  1. Parkinson, Nick (7 May 2017). "Joshua given exception to mandatory defense". ESPN.com. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  2. "Wladimir Klitschko retires and will not fight Anthony Joshua in rematch". BBC Sport. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  3. Reeno, Rick (4 August 2017). "IBF: Joshua Must Fight Pulev Next, Must Reach Deal By 9/3". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  4. Rafael, Dan (5 September 2017). "Joshua to make next defense Oct. 28 vs. Pulev". ESPN.com. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  5. Brown, Shaun (16 October 2017). "Pulev Reportedly Injured, Anthony Joshua Fight in Jeopardy". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  6. "Anthony Joshua v Kubrat Pulev: Injured Bulgarian is replaced by Carlos Takam". BBC Sport. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  7. "Frank Buglioni vs. Craig Richards". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  8. Richard Damerell (29 October 2017). "Joshua vs Takam: Frank Buglioni retains British title with points victory over Craig Richards". skysports.com. Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  9. "Khalid Yafai vs. Sho Ishida". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  10. "Kal Yafai defends WBA super-flyweight title with win over Sho Ishida". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  11. "Anahi Esther Sanchez vs. Katie Taylor". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  12. Idec, Keith (28 October 2017). "Katie Taylor Drops, Dominates Sanchez; Wins WBA Lightweight Title". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  13. "Katie Taylor wins first professional world title with points victory over Anahi Sanchez". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  14. "Dillian Whyte vs. Robert Helenius". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  15. "Joshua vs Pulev: Dillian Whyte to face Robert Helenius at Principality Stadium on October 28". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  16. "Dillian Whyte Dominates Robert Helenius in Lackluster Bout - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  17. "Joshua vs Takam: Dillian Whyte defeats Robert Helenius". Sky Sports. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  18. Mitchell, Kevin (28 October 2017). "Anthony Joshua made to work but retains crown against Carlos Takam". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  19. Luke Reddy (29 October 2017). "Anthony Joshua stops Carlos Takam in round 10 to defend IBF and WBA titles". bbc.co.uk. Cardiff: BBC. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  20. "BoxRec - event".
  21. Patrik Kuitunen (26 October 2017). "Joshua-Takam Official Fight Card Schedule". boxing-social.com. Boxing Social. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  22. "Joshua v Takam". matchroomboxing.com. Matchroom Boxing. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
Preceded by Anthony Joshua' bouts
28 October 2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by
vs. Ivica Bacurin
Carlos Takam's bouts
28 October 2017
Succeeded by