Anthony Joshua has knocked out Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round at Wembley Arena in London to  set up a potential all-British world heavyweight unification bout against Tyson Fury.

In front of 1,000 fans with attendance limited due to coronavirus restrictions, Joshua ensured there was no repeat of a shock defeat in his first clash with Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 as the 39-year-old Pulev was swotted aside,AFP reported.

Pulev,who had lost just once previously in his whole career, was outclassed by Joshua, who could have had victory wrapped up within three rounds.

Twice Pulev was given a count by the referee in round three after an explosive burst of punches from Joshua. Pulev had previously only lost to Wladimir Klitschko back in 2014.

The International Boxing Federation(IBF), World Boxing Association(WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champion then surprisingly went to a less-attacking mode and that allowed Pulev to hang in the fight.

Also read: Anthony Joshua, Kubrat Pulev almost come to blows during weigh-in

But in round nine, three uppercuts in quick succession put Pulev back on the canvas and this time he did not get back up in time as Joshua took his career record to 24-1.

Joshua tweeted a message to the fans after the game in which he said,”we don’t have to prove anything to no one but ourselves.”

Attention will now turn to the much-anticipated clash with Fury in 2021.

An agreement in principle for Joshua and WBC champion Fury to finally go head-to-head has been in place since earlier this year.

This week, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said he was “as close to 100%” as he could be that the much-anticipated bout would happen next year.