Anthony Joshua vs. Denis Bakhtov: Winner, Scorecard and Analysis

Anthony Joshua destroyed Denis Bakhtov in less than two rounds to win the WBC International Heavyweight Championship on Saturday. It was a hugely commanding fight from England's next big heavyweight hope.

The 2012 Olympic gold medalist wasted no time battering a notoriously durable fighter into submission. Pure imposing power was Joshua's weapon of choice—especially in his long, punishing jab.

Behind the Gloves described how quickly Joshua attacked Bakhtov's upper body and head:

"

AJ catching Bakhtov with 2 1-2s. Bakhtov so far cannot do anything and bleeding from his right eye. #JoshuaBrunker #MomentOfTruth

— BTG (@BehindTheGloves) October 11, 2014"

Bakhtov was supposed to push Joshua farther than he'd been in his previous eight pro fights. The Watford-born slugger won each of those bouts via knockout, without needing to go longer than three rounds.

Bakhtov's battle-worn resilience was expected to change that. As a diminutive and thickly built opponent, his low centre of gravity should have allowed him to work under Joshua's jab and land some hooks to the body.

However, the 34-year-old rugged Russian never had that chance. Joshua rocked him early with a devastating flurry in a punch-perfect opening round.

That dominance continued in Round 2, as Joshua was a smirking assassin. His malevolent delight as he continued to land shots was something Sky Sports Boxing took note of:

"

Anthony Joshua is spiteful tonight! Grinning and smiling as he dishes out serious punishment to Denis Bhaktov #skyboxing

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 11, 2014"

After the fight Joshua made it clear how he'd planned to make quick work of Bakhtov in comments made on Sky Sports (h/t Press Association, via The Guardian): "It only went two rounds but I just wanted to hurt him. He hadn’t been stopped so I just wanted to see what he could take. He was a strong guy and he wasn’t an easy opponent but I wanted to make light work of him."

The win is a springboard into a top-15 ranking in boxing's global standings. The title will be a similar launching point—something Joshua had noted before the fight, per Gareth A. Davies of The Daily Telegraph: "I see this WBC international title like the ABAs. Then we’ll get a British title and that will be like the GB Championships. Then the European title will be like the Europeans and the world will be the Olympics. That’s how I match it up."

Naturally, another short night's work will raise questions about Joshua's stamina and his ability to respond to punishment during a long and gruelling fight. He'll need to prove he can do that if he's going to surpass some of the top names in his weight class.

That's something Sky Sports pundit Spencer Oliver believes Joshua will soon do, per another report from Davies:

"

If we look at the speed he’s improving, in a year’s time he’s going to be a different fighter. We’re talking about him in with the likes of Fury, Chisora and Price, but I think he’ll surpass that in a year’s time. They’re seasoned pros. Anthony Joshua will be a level above them in a year’s time.

"

Proof Oliver is right can only come once Joshua faces a step up in competition. Certainly, plenty of fight fans would likely love to see him tested by Tyson Fury, David Price or Dereck Chisora.

Any one of that trio would find out if Joshua can take the big shots as well as he delivers them. Price, who was in attendance at the O2 Arena to see Joshua dismantle Bakhtov, seems the most natural next opponent at this point.

Daniel Kopatsch/Associated Press

He has been identified as a potential opponent next year by promoter Eddie Hearn, per Mail Online writer Matt Lawless: "The winner of the eagerly-anticipated November 29 fight between Derek Chisora and Tyson Fury is on Hearn's agenda for Watford fighter Joshua, while a bout with 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medallist David Price could also be on the cards."

However, much will depend on how well the Liverpool puncher recovers from the hand surgery that has taken him away from the ring until December, per Dan Rafael of ESPN.co.uk.

For now though, heavyweight boxing fans should savour Joshua's utter dominance as the division's brightest star.