Nigerian-born British heavyweight Boxer Anthony Joshua knocks out Dominic Breazeale in round seven to defend his IBF heavyweight title

Anthony Joshua defended his IBF heavyweight title for the first time with a seventh-round knockout of Dominic Breazeale in London.

How the fight unfolded:

The 6ft 7in Breazeale held a height and weight advantage over Joshua and was unbeaten in 17 pro fights, although he had fought nobody of note.

In his previous contest, he had been knocked down by Amir Mansour and was well behind on the scorecards when the 43-year-old was forced to retire with breathing problems.

The opening round did not produce much in the way of action, although Breazeale was stiffened by a sharp left hook, which did not bode well.

And he was in all sorts of trouble in the second, sent reeling by a huge right hand and just managing to make it through to the end of the round.

But in the third, Breazeale demonstrated he was nothing if not game, firing back when Joshua appeared to have him where he wanted on the ropes.

The challenger was on unsteady legs again in the fifth after Joshua landed with a vicious left hook and the challenger finally fell under a fusillade of punches in the seventh.

American boxer, Breazeale clambered to his feet but was down again a few seconds later, persuading the referee to call ahalt to proceedings.It was only the second time the Nigerian Born - UK boxer, Joshua,26, had gone past three rounds - hewas also taken seven rounds by fellow Briton Dillian Whyte last December.

Joshua won the title with a second-round knockout of American CharlesMartin in April.