Anthony Joshua explains how Wladimir Klitschko fight changed his career

For Anthony Joshua, his meeting with Wladimir Klitschko in April 2017 was a breakout moment in his career. 

With Tyson Fury taking a prolonged break from the sport, it was a chance for Joshua to announce himself as the number one name in the heavyweight division. 

What transpired at a sold out Wembley Stadium was a contest fans will never forget. Both Joshua and Klitschko went toe-to-toe in a clash which was gruelling and one of the most entertaining heavyweight fights in recent memory. 

Joshua emerged victorious with a stoppage in round 11 and when reflecting on the fight in an interview with Mike Costello for Matchroom Boxing, Joshua explained how the win over Klitschko changed his career for the better. 

"What I learned after this fight is that there are levels," Joshua said.

"This guy [Klitschko] is the first guy who ever took me to 11 rounds and obviously he had the pedigree to be in that position to do that.

"For me, I’ve always said that I need to be a cut above the rest, so I went away to improve, change my style and so forth… and it has brought me to where I am today you know. That fight is the fight that brought to this point here and big-time boxing is back."

Joshua returns to the ring for the first time in 2024 on March 8 when he faces former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou live on DAZN PPV. 

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