AJ Proves His Worth on the Ultimate Stage

On a chilly evening northwest of the English capital, Wembley Stadium played a part as the ultimate platform to answer a heavyweight-sized bulk of questions. To say the least, it served that purpose and then some, as Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko waged war in a titanic battle for the ages.

Eleven rounds will go down in the folklore of not just British boxing, but in the iconic, decorated history of the heavyweight division. The Ukranian came in as a man of his own word, "obsessed", but would be outgunned in a thrilling affair by a British national treasure, Anthony Joshua. "AJ" came from being floored to land a flurry of vicious punches which ended the conquest of a man who only a few years ago ruled every length of the division.

Image: independent

It was the elementary litmus test which many had longed for with regards to Joshua. Before he went toe-to-toe with a fellow European, he had torn through 18 other opponents with a 100% knockout ratio, only really being tested once when he was wobbled by the left hook of nemesis Dillian Whyte. But despite capturing the IBF crown on the way, what he had deep down remained something of a mystery. As he did say though following the sensational stoppage, "in this small little ring, there's nowhere to hide".

Wladimir Klitschko might as well have entered the ring to the Sherlock Holmes theme rather than the Red Hot Chilli Peppers' synonymous "Can't Stop" - because he was some detective in discovering exactly what his opponent was made of. Klitschko was hurt but returned from the canvas to trouble the Londoner, dragging him into the deep waters. The pressure was on, 90,000 fans watched on with expectation, and after an almighty struggle AJ was able to deliver.

Image: GeorgeMTalk

There were questions about Klitschko himself, too. Having been made to look so mortal against Tyson Fury some one-and-a-half years prior, he was written off by many. Psychologically, broken down, and physically, at the age of 41, unable to withstand the pressure and youth of someone hungrier and looking to eclipse the work he has done. It's a good job, then, that Joshua didn't write him off - because if so, it could have been the most disastrous night of his life.

Klitschko was subject to a ferocious barrage right off the bat to start the fifth round, disrupting his rhythm after a cagey opening to the main event tilt at the national stadium. He ended that same round on the front foot and almost finishing Joshua, testament to his legendary heart and longevity.

He'd go one step further in the following frame when he followed up a left jab with a crushing right hand that wobbled and sent AJ crashing to the canvas. You could have cut the tension at Wembley Stadium with a knife at that point, eyes were being covered in horror as it appeared the Brit was on the verge of being finished.

Image: Men's Fitness

Roaring on, Joshua fought through adversity in the most truest tests of his metal. Despite plenty of time in the sixth round, he'd be grateful that Klitschko, perhaps because of his age, was unable to really turn it up a gear and get him out of there. The mediating between the argument that the "real Klitschko" returned or that this is a 41-year-old on his way out saw questions raised in his sixth round game plan. A more callous Klitschko back in his heyday could have steamrolled his way to the titles at that point.

As the rounds ticked forward, the prospect of a potential judges' decision loomed large. Klitschko just jabbed away to score rounds while the IBF Champion did all he could to shake the cobwebs loose and recover. That time was crucial and it all came into fruition in the penultimate round, when a thunderous uppercut rattled Wladimir, and set him up for two knockdowns before a standing TKO stoppage from the referee.

Image: Richard Heathcote / Getty Images

It was a battle which breathed even more life into a booming heavyweight division, vanquishing Klitschko's stronghold and setting up the most prestigious weight class for an incredibly exciting horizon. In restoring the order of heavyweight excitement, they also reminded many of a value to boxing which has often been forgotten as of late. The respect.

Grudge matches are a promoter's dream in terms of pay-per-view buys, with David Haye and Tony Bellew in March generating so much buzz around their feud, while Carl Froch and George Groves' battle managed to fill Wembley Stadium three years ago. But, there's not really a need. Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko were respectful but determined through the course of the build-up, some social media experts were quick to dismiss it a boring snoozefest. When the chips were, however, down, they waged war and it will go down in history.

Image: Richard Heathcote / Getty Images

Having enjoyed an era of total dominance over the big men in boxing, Klitschko was a perfect measuring stick for Joshua. We saw what he had when the odds were stacked, and how his power would translate into the later rounds. It also makes the potential future matchups all the more compelling.

The world moves on quick, which is why the dust has settled already from London and now we are looking ahead. Anthony Joshua has hold of three belts for now, but Deontay Wilder - who was present at the stadium to witness the epic fight - is a huge UK vs. USA money matchup that will further unify the titles. There's also rising Aussie star Joseph Parker, another massive battle with AJ. A bit more of a mystery is Luis Ortiz, who certainly has serious knockout power and again would be the test on the chin for AJ. Let's not forget about Kubrat Pulev either. But there's one name that eclipses them all, and that's Tyson Fury.

Make no mistake, @anthonyfjoshua vs @Tyson_Fury is THE fight to make. All-British heavyweight showdown; Klitschko's two conquerors in 9 yrs

— Mikey (@AnalyseBoxing) April 29, 2017

Surely Joshua and 'chin issues' should be put to bed. Took some crunching shots from a dynamite puncher.

— Mikey (@AnalyseBoxing) April 29, 2017

Given, he's currently a ton of pounds overweight and has had his license revoked, but the positive sign is that the undefeated boxer is back in camp. Joshua and Fury have traded barbs over social media for a while now, and both have made their intentions clear: they want to fight each other. AJ called out his compatriot following the bout, and in typical Tyson fashion he claimed he would beat him "with one arm".

If Wembley Stadium was sold out for Joshua vs. Klitschko, it's going to be overflowing for Joshua vs. Fury. Two fighters who can reach their prime and who can set up an all-British mega heavyweight unification bout. It's a long way away, but with some questions now answered about Joshua - and the skill of Fury to have shut down and avoided any bombs from Wlad - we may have another epic encounter on our hands.

A spine-tingling atmosphere brought the best out of both men and the heavyweight division itself. Whether Klitschko will have one last outing before bowing out (perhaps even a rematch) remains to be seen, but for AJ, he has the world in his hands. Granted, there remains a lot to prove considering the fact that a younger Klitschko or other elite fighter could have made him pay for that sixth-round knockdown and energy dissipation, though that is what makes it all so exciting.

It was a fight for the ages. It was a fight which made Anthony Joshua one of the biggest stars in boxing, and that profile will only continue to rise.