Joshua compared to Mohammad Ali after iconic photo goes viral
An incredible image taken of Anthony Joshua during his titanic clash with Wladimir Klitschko has forced an inescapable comparison with Mohammad Ali.
With 27-year-old power puncher Joshua rocketing to superstardom after his 11th-round stoppage over Klitschko, the comparisons are timely with the greatest boxer the world has ever seen.
Following the final knockdown of the Ukrainian at Wembley Stadium, photographers captured the moment Joshua stood like a titan over his fallen opponent.
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After taking a beating over half an hour in the ring with his powerful Ukrainian opponent, Joshua looks exhausted but still extremely confident and composed.
Immediately, Twitter users drew the uncanny comparison to an image taken 52 years earlier of Ali, after he knocked out Sonny Liston in the first minute of their title fight in Maine.
Unlike Joshua, Ali looks completely energised after only fighting for a few seconds, but otherwise the similarities are impossible to ignore.
The pose, the build, the confidence, the brutalised opponent - these pictures surely link greatness to greatness.
Something that differentiates the two however is the way both have interacted with their opponents, both before and after fights.
While Ali was known for his trash talk, Joshua had nothing but kind words to say about 41-year-old Klitschko.
**The Resemblance is INSANE** #TheGreatest #MuhammadAli #AnthonyJoshua #AJ #JoshuaKlitchsko @anthonyfjoshua pic.twitter.com/sI1FRG59D1
— MD (@meldadon) April 29, 2017
"As boxing states, you leave your ego at the door and you respect your opponent. So a massive shout out to Wladimir Klitschko," Joshua said.
"A massive shout out to Wladimir Klitschko for taking part, I'm not going to say too much, in terms of the boxing hall of fame, he's a role model in and out of the ring.
I respect anyone that steps into the ring #AJBoxing pic.twitter.com/9HFKGpDs4i
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) April 30, 2017
"Boxing is about character, as I said from the get go it will be a boxing classic, find what you believe in and give it a go."
Meanwhile, it was Klitschko's first stoppage defeat since Lamon Brewster beat him in 2004 and leaves his record at 64 wins and five defeats.
"The best man won tonight and it's a massive event for boxing," Klitschko told Sky Sports.
Really enjoyed the fight, I hope you did too. Thank you for your amazing support. I can truly feel it. Respect&congrats to @anthonyfjoshua
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) April 30, 2017
"Two gentleman fought each other. Anthony was better today. It's really sad I didn't make it tonight."
