Joshua stops Whyte during seventh in thrilling London clash

Such a heated exchange only led to a more enthralling second round, but Joshua took control of the fight again and dictated the pace, unleashing a huge left uppercut to hurt Whyte. But Joshua’s chin was immediately tested, with Whyte then landing a mammoth left hand of his own, but somehow they lasted despite an onslaught from both heavyweights.

Joshua came bursting from the blocks in the third, but it was evident that Whyte had gained confidence from a strong second round. The pair maintained a more composed approach in the round, with the London bruiser now into the longest fight of his professional career.

The home heavyweight had never been taken beyond the third in his previous 14 bouts and, as things developed, a shock looked more and more likely.

Although, in the fourth it was Joshua that landed the cleaner digs and regained momentum, but Whyte was remaining defiant and taking the shots well.

Joshua had ended the fourth with a huge grin on his face, and in the fifth he had plenty to smile about as the 26-year-old started to pick his shots and take up the tempo, with Whyte beginning to breath very heavily.

In the sixth, Whyte continued to struggle, apart from one solid right hand, with Joshua finding it increasingly easy to catch his opponent from all angles, but another bell was met nevertheless.

Joshua was in control so far, and a devastating straight right hand stunned Whyte, before the Londoner kept up an onslaught to brutally finish off the fight and earn a 15th successive knockout victory in this gruelling grudge bout. A world title shot now beckons for the heavyweight giant in 2016.

Undercard results from London

On a packed-out undercard in London, Paulie Malignaggi was a class above stand-in opponent Antonio Moscatiello as he claimed a wide points victory and clinched the EBU-EU welterweight title with scores of 119-110, 119-110 and 120-109.

Ring veteran Dereck Chisora also stopped journeyman Jakov Gospic in the third round of their heavyweight bout, with the pair having collided after Leeds fighter Josh Warrington had pulled out of the card with an illness.

Luke Campbell was in action again too for the first time since stopping fellow Hull lightweight Tommy Coyle, but the 2012 Olympic Gold medallist didn’t put on the clinical display fans are used to seeing from him.

The 28-year-old southpaw was downed for the first time in his career by experienced Frenchman Yvan Mendy in the fifth round, and eventually tasted his maiden defeat via a split decision.

Liverpool’s explosive cruiserweight Tony Bellew emerged with the European title after a gruelling 12-round battle with Polish bruiser Mateusz Masternak, securing an impressive unanimous points decision to edge closer to a world title shot next year.

Romford lightweight Kevin Mitchell endured a disastrous return to the ring in London as his night was ended in the fifth round, after a strong right hand from Ismael Barroso, as he was completely overwhelmed by his Colombian conqueror.

In the first main event between Chris Eubank Jr and Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan, both fighters went through an intense seven rounds of action, but the latter Irishman’s corner retired their man after the bell. The Brighton prospect now earns a shot at the WBA middleweight strap held by Daniel Jacobs, following an absolute compelling encounter at the O2 Arena with ‘Spike’.

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