NIGERIAN-born Olympic champion Anthony Joshua has won the British heavyweight boxing title defeating former kick-boxer Dillian Whyte with a bruising seventh-round knockout last night.

Joshua, who won Olympic gold fighting for Britain at the 2012 London Olympics, won emphatically and with class last night, edging closer to a possible shot at the world crown. With the victory, the 26-year-old took his stunning record to 15 knockouts from 15 fights since turning pro after winning 2012 Olympic gold in London.

Following yesterday's win, the prospect of a clash with WBO and WBA heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is now on the cards. This is likely to happen if the fellow British fighter Tyson, beats Wladimir Klitschko in their impending world title rematch.

Joshua's thrilling victory was greeted by raucous celebrations at the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena, making it abundantly clear that Britain has a new heavyweight hero. His emergence could lead to some fascinating heavyweight encounters over the next few years.

Next up for Watford's Joshua, who also retained his Commonwealth belt at the O2 Arena last night, could be compatriot and former world title challenger Dereck Chisora, who knocked out Croatian journeyman Jakov Gospic on the same bill. Before last night, Whyte was unbeaten in 16 professional fights, with 13 knockouts and he beat Joshua in the amateur ranks in 2009. 

Whyte did indeed take the fight to Joshua in the first round but took plenty of shuddering blows as a result and looked at one point as if he might not last three minutes. However, what looked like a momentary buckling of the knees proved to be deceptive. 

However, Whyte was taking in huge gulps of air by the end of the sixth and when he offered to touch gloves at the start of the seventh, it seemed like he had had enough A left hook to the temple sent Whyte reeling across the ring, although he did well to compose himself, grab Joshua and tie him up on the inside. 

However, Whyte was unable to keep Joshua off for long. Whyte, having retreated to the ropes, was finally finished off by a picture-perfect uppercut and having tried and failed to make it to his feet, he was given medical attention in the ring but soon helped back to his corner.