IT TOOK ANTHONY JOSHUA just three rounds to ease past the challenge of Eric Molina and retain his IBF Heavyweight crown in Manchester tonight.
It was pretty straightforward for the 27-year-old, who barely broke a sweat, and he can now look forward to a unified bout with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley next April after promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the news within moments of Joshua’s win.
Molina couldn’t get close for the first two rounds before finding himself in big trouble in the third.
Joshua floored him for an eight count – Molina barely making it back to his feet. But within a few seconds, it was clear the 34-year-old Texan was unable to continue and the referee stepped in to put an end to things.
It was all too easy for the reigning champ but will face a much sterner test from the 40-year-old Klitschko next year.