Anthony Joshua stops Wladimir Klitschko in 11th round of epic bout

Going past the seventh round for the first time in his career Joshua responded to hitting the canvas for the first time by securing an incredible win against an opponent who surprised everyone.

Joshua had to fight more than in any of his other bouts by some distance, as Klitschko showed far more than in his bout with Tyson Fury.

Klitschko was superb and belied his 41 years as he showed great poise and mobility as Joshua struggled to keep the pace with the former world champion.

However in the 11th, out of nowhere, Joshua found something, something deep down inside him and he unleashed an incredible right-hander to floor Klitschko.

He got up, but he was met by a left-hook and the referee ended it there and then, to give Joshua his 19th win, all by stoppage.

After a cagey start the fifth round proved to be one of the all-time greats, as Joshua floored Klitschko only to see his opponent come right back at him, landing a series of his own punches.

When Joshua went down it seemed as if he might be finished as Klitschko started to take control despite trainer Rob McCracken berating Joshua.

That comeback though will go down in history, as one of the greatest moments in the history of the sport - Joshua showed the heart of a champion to do what he did.

Speaking afterwards Joshua was typically humble, speaking of his utmost respect for Klitschko: "As I said, I'm not perfect but I'm trying. You leave your ego at the door and respect your opponent. Wladimir is a role model in and out of the ring.

"I'm a little bit emotional, because I know I've got doubters. But I dig deep. When you go to the trenches, you find out who you really are."

As for Klitschko his reaction was as classy as you would have expected, saying "The best man won tonight. It was an amazing event who fought each other. Anthony was better today than I, it's really sad that I didn't make it tonight. I was planning to do it but it didn't work.

"All the respect to Anthony. I enjoyed the night. I wish I could've raised my hand. He got up and fought back to win the titles."

Round by Round recap 

Early on Klitschko was pushing out, which went against most of Joshua's fight patterns, but Joshua was alert to the danger and managed to land a couple of early punches.

In the second Klitschko landed one with his right hand but Joshua looked sharper and managed to get in one of his own.

Joshua took the fight to his opponent in the third with Klitschko looking in better shape than his fight against Fury but visibly slower than his opponent, 14 years his junior.

Anthony Joshua (White Shorts) and Wladimir Klitschko (Gray Shorts) in action during the IBF, WBA and IBO Heavyweight World Title bout at Wembley Stadium on April 29, 2017 in London, England

Both fighters traded blows in the fourth as Klitschko came out after the bell looking to attack, a stark contrast to his bout with Fury, and Joshua received a warning for a body shot as they were separated by referee David Fields.

Joshua ended that round well with a good combo, seemingly unshaken by the early punch from his opponent.

That momentum carried into the fifth when Joshua floored Klitschko with a series of impressive punches that left the former world champion rattled, and forcing some mistakes as Joshua read the punches and ducked well.

Klitschko wasn't done though and he came back really well to end an extraordinary round with a few of his own despite obvious damage.

'Dr Steelhammer' then floored Joshua for the first time in his career with a powerful right hand and even though Joshua got back on his feet suddenly the table had turned.

Anthony Joshua (White Shorts) and Wladimir Klitschko (Gray Shorts) in action during the IBF, WBA and IBO Heavyweight World Title bout at Wembley Stadium on April 29, 2017 in London, England

McCracken was not amused with Joshua after the seventh, despite the boxer saying he had that round off. The trainer demanded his fighter "be smarter."

As Joshua entered the unknown, going into the eighth for the first time in his career, he took a right hand from Klitschko well and ended well landing a punch just before the bell went.

He regrouped in the ninth and did really well as his opponent showed signs of starting to tire.

Klitschko showed his experience in the tenth, using his experience to try and hold off his opponent as the fight wore on.

However Joshua landed a massive right hand at the start of the 11th and not for the first time the momentum switched as Klitschko fought to recover from the surprise of the blow.

Anthony Joshua Vladimir Klitschko

Anthony Joshua Vladimir KlitschkoGetty Images

Then came the sucker punch as Joshua floored him once again and despite Fields giving Klitschko time to recover, this was all Joshua as he secured his 19th straight knockout.

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