Anthony Joshua-backed Emanuel Odiase extended his unbeaten record to 9-0 on Wednesday night with another win inside the distance.

The towering 6ft 8in German blasted away Idris Afinni (18-10-1) in the opening stanza of a heavyweight bout put on by Amir Khan Promotions in Lagos, Nigeria.

En route to the eventual stoppage, Odiase dropped his overmatched foe three times.

The first knockdown came courtesy of a clubbing left hook before a right hand around the guard sent the hometown fighter hurtling back down the canvas.

Afinni showed immense bravery in climbing back to his feet twice, but the fight was waved off after he hit the deck for a third time.

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of his victory, Odiase said: "I am never looking for a knockout because I have learnt you can never chase knockouts.

"But obviously, I know I have the power, and I'm very confident in my power.

"I know that any man who steps into the ring with me is going to stumble if I land clean.

"So I saw him go down, and like a shark I smelt the blood and went in for the kill...

"I am a boxer first and foremost, so I am looking to put on a good show and good performance.

"For me, it is just about boxing. I want to show skills, that is what we work on in the gym with Jobe Clayton, and skills pay the bills. "So at the end of the day, if it is a points decision or a knockout, I really don't mind as long as I get the win."

What is Emanuel Odiase's association with Anthony Joshua?

Odiase was snapped up by Joshua's 258 Management after impressing in a sparring session against the Watford powerhouse in 2021.

Since then, AJ has acted as a mentor for the 26-year-old, who has also duked it out in the gym with Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk.

The well-schooled amateur standout possesses all of the necessary tools to reach the top of the sport, while he has set himself the goal of getting there within two years.

"I've been saying that in 2027, I'll be a world champion," Odiase told talkSPORT after Tuesday's weigh-in.

"Two years go by quickly, we've been working with different world champions, I just take it step-by-step.

"I'll be going for European titles next year and in 2027, have a world championship belt around my waist."(TalkSports)

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