Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko: Live round by round results

The biggest heavyweight fight in years is taking place today at Wembley Stadium in London, and we’re bringing you a live round by round recap as it goes down.

Sometimes the passing of the torch at the highest level of boxing is apparent only in retrospect. Other times it’s quite obvious, and when Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko collide in a packed Wembley Stadium in London, it could certainly fall into the second category.

The 27-year old Joshua is already the biggest thing to hit British boxing in years, both literally and figuratively. At 6-foot-6, he’s simply bigger than many other heavyweights, and he’s got fearsome power to go with his size, knocking out every opponent he’s faced during the 18-0 start to his pro career.

He’s just never faced anyone with the track record of Klitschko. Now 41, the former long-reigning champion is looking for one more victory before likely calling it a career. Klitschko hasn’t fought since November 2015 when he dropped all his belts in a poor performance against Tyson Fury, but he appears extremely motivated — as evidenced by the fact that we weighed in at 240 1/4 pounds, lighter than he’s been for every fight in this decade.

It’s not exactly an unstoppable force versus immovable object scenario, as Klitschko has been stopped before. But the last time it happened was in 2004 (when Lamon Brewster took him out in five rounds), which may as well be another lifetime ago. Joshua has never had to go more than seven rounds as a pro, so who knows what he’ll show if Klitschko is still around and in the fight in the championship rounds.

We’re prepared for just about anything in front of the massive Wembley  Stadium crowd, so please enjoy our live round by round recap and refresh often for the latest scores.

The Showtime crew mentions how Klitschko hasn’t been a betting underdog since 2005. That’s a long time, especially in boxing. The consensus seems to be that Klitschko might come out more aggressively than he has in most recent fights, and both fighters seem to think the other man will tire in the later rounds.

“Sweet Caroline” is being played in Wembley, a pre-fight tradition in England. Strange seeing Michael Buffer on Showtime, but that’s because the network is piggybacking on Sky Sports. “Dr. Steelhammer” is introduced first, and Klitschko is greeted by a fair amount of boos as he walks out to Red Hot Chili Peppers.

These are long ring walks, but the atmosphere inside Wembley looks incredible. Joshua pauses up on an elevated platform in-between flaming letters ‘A’ and ‘J’ as “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes blends into “Juicy” by The Notorious B.I.G.

The tale of the tape shows Joshua was 10 pounds heavier at the weigh-in, with neither man holding significant edges in height or reach. Joshua, of course, is 14 years younger than Klitschko. Time for the national anthems for Ukraine and the U.K.

The referee in charge tonight is David Fields of the U.S. Buffer does the official fighter intros as only he can. They touch ’em up, and here we go!

Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko live round by round results

Round 1

Klitschko comes forward, pawing with jabs. Joshua settles down with a 1-2 upstairs before they clinch. Fields could be busy. Plenty of feinting and some tentative left hooks both ways. Klitschko lands a jab but Joshua drives him back before eating another jab. Right to the body by Joshua. Left to the body by AJ and a left upstairs that just grazes the challenger. Jab by Klitschko.

FanSided.com: Joshua 10-9

Round 2

A right finds the mark for Klitschko early. He’s staying just out of range but Joshua connects with a jab. Joshua is trying to find a home for his jab. He doubles it up and bounces a right off the shoulder. Klitschko backs away from danger twice in a row. Joshua might be able to succeed by continuing to double his jab or using it as a counter. Klitschko trying to feint his way in, but no right hands are coming.

FanSided.com: Joshua 10-9, Joshua leads 20-18 after Round 2

Round 3

Klitschko tries for another early right hand. Joshua seems a little more determined to close in, and he just misses a right uppercut and left hook combo. Klitschko playing with fire, and he absorbs a few body shots. Joshua doubles up the jab and forces Klitschko to clinch. Joshua comes over the top with a right that looks like it lands on the arm. Klitschko tries a lead left hook. Nothing big landed in that round but it’s hard to give anything to Dr. Steelhammer so far.

FanSided.com: Joshua 10-9, Joshua leads 30-27 after Round 3

Round 4

Right off the bell, Klitschko uses a 1-2 combo and scores with a right hand, then another before they tie up. Perhaps his best shots so far. There’s a right hand by Joshua; Klitschko responds with two jabs. The ref warns Joshua for punching on the break. Joshua goes to the body with a right hand. Klitschko tries a clubbing right and gets hit with a right hand counter. Jab by the champ and then a bobbing left hook low before another jab. Closest round yet but still favors AJ.

FanSided.com: Joshua 10-9, Joshua leads 40-36 after Round 4

Round 5

This time it’s Joshua who steps on the gas right out of his corner, unleashing punches with both hands. He’s cut and he goes down after a barrage of punches. He beats the count but there’s a lot of time left in this round. Klitschko is trying to punch back but Joshua clearly smells blood both literally and figuratively. A left hook pauses Joshua’s onslaught and he has to rest. Klitschko fires back with a right hand and a left hook as they exchange. It looks like Joshua might be a little stunned, and he wobbles back into the ropes. This is taking a lot out of both guys, or so it seems. Big left hook by Klitschko. Great action now. Wow.

FanSided.com: Joshua 10-8, Joshua leads 50-44 after Round 5

Round 6

Both men look okay after looking gassed late last round. Klitschko lands a right hand and Joshua has to have his mouthpiece put back in. A Klitschko right hand and Joshua is down for the first time in his career! He looks hurt, but he beats the count. Joshua is so woozy he almost hits the ref on a break. You know Klitschko is too smart to rush in, but he backs Joshua into a corner and connects with a clubbing right. Klitschko bounces and jabs his way in. Joshua jabs a bit in the last 10 seconds.

FanSided.com: Klitschko 10-8, Joshua leads 58-54 after Round 6

Round 7

This is surprisingly entertaining as we head to the second half of the bout. Joshua barely blocks a 1-2 and weaves along the ropes. Klitschko triples up on the left hook and lands at least one. Now Joshua is the one clinching when the range gets tight. Joshua seems to do more talking than punching at the moment. Klitschko jabs and has some success. A short right by the challenger forces a clinch, and he tries a left hook . Joshua throws a body-head combo, his best looking punches in a while.

FanSided.com: Klitschko 10-9, Joshua leads 67-64 after Round 7

Round 8

This is the first time Joshua has ever been this deep in a fight. Something to remember. He ducks in with a jab that lands, but Klitschko is driving him back. Steve Farhood has this fight even right now. Klitschko scores and the ref breaks them up. Joshua tries the body and then a right hand upstairs. Three jabs in a row from Klitschko. Another one is answered by Joshua, who tries a left hook to the head. Both men land jabs, and while this was another close round, Klitschko was busier and more assertive.

FanSided.com: Klitschko 10-9, Joshua leads 76-74 after Round 8

Round 9

Klitschko tries to use more early aggression and Joshua wisely ties him up twice. You get the feeling both men are just looking for another big right hand. Joshua eats a jab while trying more body work. Left hook by Joshua; Klitschko with more jabs. Right hand by Joshua brings the crowd back into it a bit. Joshua goes upstairs with a right and shoeshines to the body. A rare left to the body by Klitschko lands right before the bell.

FanSided.com: Joshua 10-9, Joshua leads 86-83 after Round 9

Round 10

Joshua tries to take the lead, but Klitschko steadies himself and comes forward. Some awkward exchanges lead to a right hand counter by Joshua. A short left by Joshua lands as he leaps in. Klitschko jabs in and ends up in a clinch. Neither man can do much work on the inside because of well-timed holding. Joshua avoids punches and returns fire with a sweeping left hook. A big head clash stuns Joshua for a second, and then Klitschko scores with a right at the bell.

FanSided.com: Joshua 10-9, Joshua leads 96-92 after Round 10

Round 11

A big right by Klitschko scores, but Joshua responds with a powerful right and left hook. He looks emboldened now for the first time since perhaps Round 5. Joshua lands a left hook prior to a clinch, and then an enormous uppercut finds the target. Klitschko somehow stays up, but a combo that follows sends Klitschko down again. He’s still good to go, but after being backed intot he ropes, Joshua unloads and Klitschko is down for a third time. There’s still a minute to go. Joshua follows Klitschko into a corner, and even though not all of his punches are landing, the ref has seen enough, and it’s all over.

The winner … and still IBF heavyweight champion, and new WBA heavyweight super champion … Anthony Joshua via 11th round TKO.