Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev RESULT: AJ delivers KO to tough challenger in round nine to set up undisputed title fight with Tyson Fury in 2021

Anthony Joshua knocked out Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round to defend his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles on Saturday night in London.

The champion floored his challenger four times in a dramatic and entertaining contest, which will hopefully lead to an undisputed fight between AJ and Tyson Fury next year.

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The contest began with a cagey opener as both men appeared hesitant and exchanged jabs.

In round two, AJ began to open up and fired off a combination of hooks and uppercuts.

Pulev just smiled back and absorbed a number of body jabs as he tried to close the distance.

The fight exploded into action in the third as Joshua hammered Pulev with a hard right hand and followed up with a series of power punches.

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The Bulgarian initially laughed in response but then turned his back and was smashed into the ropes by a follow-up combination, prompting a count from the referee.

Pulev fought on but was once again floored, this time by a giant uppercut from the champion.

Remarkably, he recovered to his feet for a second time and survived the round.

At the start of the fourth, Joshua ensured that he would not suffer from the same mistakes as he did in his defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr.

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The Brit attacked cautiously, knowing his opponent was still strong.

This theme followed into round five and opened up opportunities for Pulev who landed two significant right hands.

As they approached the halfway point, the challenger appeared to be growing in confidence and had the champion on the back foot.

Pulev was also warned multiple times for rabbit punching in the clinch.

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In the seventh, Joshua planted his feet and fired consecutive uppercuts at the Bulgarian who again stood firm.

Pulev caught the Brit with a right hand in round eight and appeared occasionally dangerous, just as his opponent did vulnerable.

But it was all over three minutes later.

AJ found another knockdown in round nine and then ended the fight with a brutal right which put Pulev down for the count.

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Joshua reacted post-fight: "I stuck to what I know best, boxing, looking at where I'm gonna put my shots, put them together.

"When they're successful, they're successful, it's less talk and more action."

Asked whether the wants the challenge of facing Fury, he replied: "Of course I want a challenge.

"It is not about the opponents, it is about the legacy of the belt. Whoever has got the belt, I want the challenge. If that is Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury."

With an agreement already in principle for two meetings between Fury and Joshua in 2021, only the finer details need to be resolved for a mouth-watering unification bout.

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Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, added: "We will be friendly, we will be nice and we know what we have to do. Starting from tomorrow let's make this Tyson Fury fight happen.

"It is the only fight to make in boxing, it is the biggest fight in boxing and the biggest fight in British boxing. I know he wants it."

Fury, who declined an offer to attend, immediately took to Twitter after Joshua's victory and said: "I want the fight, I want the fight next and I will knock him out inside three rounds."