At the Wembley (SSC) Arena, Wembley, London, UK, Saturday, Matchroom Boxing – Eddie Hearn in association with Top Rank Boxing – Bob Arum, presented WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion Anthony “AJ” Joshua defending his titles stopping out Kubrat Pulev, the No. 1 contender in the ninth round over DAZN.

In the Main event 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, WBA, WBO & IBF World champion “AJ” Anthony Joshua, 24-1 (22), #240 ľ, of Watford, UK, knocked out Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev, 28-2 (14), #239 1/2, of Sofia, Bulgaria at 2:58 of the ninth round of a scheduled 12 rounds.

In the third round a series of rights from Joshua on the chin had Pulev spun around taking an 8-count. In the final minute a right on the chin from Joshua dropped Pulev for an 8-count by referee Deon Dewarte. In the seventh round Joshua went to the body with a jab and landed several right uppercuts to the chin of Pulev. Pulev had been landing rabbit punches throughout since the third round.

In the ninth round five unanswered uppercuts from Joshua on the chin threw Pulev to the canvas for an 8-count. Seconds later a lead right from Joshua on the jaw and down went Pulev unable to beat the count.

“Less talk and more action, I’m the best WBO, IBO, WBA and IBF champion. Everybody have a Merry Christmas. I respect Tyson Fury and hope to unify if that’s next,” said Joshua. “It’s our plans to have a unified championship with Tyson Fury in 2021,” said Eddie Hearn.

Cruiserweight 2016 Olympian Lawrence “The Sauce” Okolie, 15-0 (12), #199 ľ, of Hackney, London, UK, stopped Nikodem Jezewski, 19-1-1 (9), #199 ľ, of Koscierzyna, POL, at 1:45 of the second round of a 12 for the vacant WBO International title.

In the first round Okolie landed a right to the ribs of Jezewski causing a delayed knockdown for an 8-count. Later in the round on two occasions Okolie rights to the head wobbled Jezewski. In the second round Okolie landed a right on the chin and down went Jezewski who beat the count but was in no condition to continue from referee Phil Edwards.

In the co-feature Heavyweight Martin “Makabu” Bakole, 16-1 (12), #251 1/2, of Congo, Airdrie, Scotland, UK, defeated Sergey Kuzmin, 15-2 (11), #258 1/2, of St. Petersburg, RUS, over 10 rounds, for vacant WBC Int’l title.

In the first four rounds Bakole used his reach advantage landing his jab at will. Kuzmin started to get back late in the fourth and smothered Bakole taking the fifth. Bakole was back in command with the jab in the sixth and seventh. Kuzim got back in close taking the eighth. In the ninth and tenth Kuzim lost both backing up and giving up the rounds.

Scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 with this writer 97-93.

Heavyweight Hughie Fury, 25-3 (14) #247 Ľ, of Manchester, UK, defeated Mariusz “The Viking” Wach, 36-7 (19) #274 Ľ, of Krakow, POL, over 10 rounds.

In the second through the fourth rounds Fury outworked Wach, but Fury due to an accidental clash of heads received a bad cut on left eye. Fury checked several times by ring physician continued to outwork Wach the rest of the way from orthodox and southpaw.

Scores were 100-90 twice and 99-91 as did this writer.

Middleweight Kieron “Too Class” Conway, 16-1-1 (3), #160, of Northhampton, UK, defeated late sub Macaulay “The Macho Man” McGowan, 14-2-1 (3), #158 1/2, Whythen Shawe, UK, over 10 rounds.

In the third round McGowan had a small cut on his left eyebrow. In the eighth a right miss followed by a hard jab from Conway and down went McGowan for the 8-count. Conway looked to take all ten rounds but McGowan gave him a hard fight.

Scores were 100-90, 100-89 twice as did this writer. McDonnell referred.

Welter Florian “TNT” Marku, 7-0-1 (5), #146 ľ, of Albania, London, UK, got ripped in a draw decision with Jamie Stewart, 2-0-1 (0), #145 ľ, of Longton, Staffordshire, UK, over 8 rounds.

In the second round with half a minute left a left uppercut from Marku to the mid-section of Stewart and down he went of an 8-count. From the third through the eighth Stewart who took the fight on 3 day notice hung in there after taking a close first round but falling short the rest of the fight.

Referee Marcus McDonnell had it 76-76 with this writer 79-73 Marku.