Better an early stoppage than satisfying bloodlust

Storm of frustrated machismo demonstrates how much is expected of the champion

live another day. And Takam will, because his reputation was enhanced. With his low, tight, bobbing style, he presented unexpected difficulties for Joshua, who had trained for the bigger, more conventional Kubrat Pulev.

In true Evander Holyfield style, Takam bored up into Joshua’s face with his head in the second round and smashed into his nose – a collision (accidental, Joshua thought) which shaped the rest of the fight. It unnerved the defending champion and ignited his instinct to turn the occasion into a street fight – an urge his trainer Robert Mccracken warned against. The instruction was not to get “cocky” against an adversary who came into the ring with the classic outsider’s objective. “All they want to do is land one shot,” Joshua said, not only of Takam but the army of journeymen who hope to get lucky when the big phone call comes.

Takam’s eyes were minced by the time the stoppage came. Twice – in the fifth and ninth rounds – the ring doctor had inspected his cuts to determine whether he could continue. Joshua was bloodied, roughed up, tested, and handed a useful lesson in fighting opponents of Takam’s height and style, yet many of those watching still demanded a repeat of the Klitschko fight – an all-time heavyweight classic – as if this is Joshua’s national duty from now on.

Eddie Hearn, his promoter, spoke of “the pressure this young man’s under when he fights” and the “expectancy of the country on his shoulders”. In the other corner – an opponent looking to land “that one sweet haymaker”, in Joshua’s terminology, and take “the belts to France”. After 20 fights – not many for one in his elevated position – Joshua now lives in a world where “I can’t afford to mess up”.

True, “everything is bubbling nicely for 2018”, but without self-discipline, Joshua says he might be “reckless” in his lifestyle. The cultivation of his fame since the Klitschko fight brings a balancing obligation not to lose the dedication that allowed him to reach that pinnacle. Huge international fights, especially in America, will help him to retain his focus.

In the early hours of Sunday, when a reflective mood had set in, Joshua said: “Heavyweight boxing is madness. It’s different. Look at the guy’s face after. Heavyweight boxing is crazy, you’ve got to be tough. People want to see him unconscious. It’s crazy, like a gladiatorial arena.”

Hearn chipped in: “The public want to see those [knockout] shots.” And Joshua said again, correctly: “The ref ’s job is to let the fighter live another day.”