Anthony Joshua knocked out Dillian Whyte in the seventh round to remain unbeaten as a professional and become the British heavyweight champion at The O2 Arena.

Tested more severely than ever before on a night when security was needed to separate the two fighters between rounds, Joshua overcame the test to extend his record to 15-0.

Joshua was in no mood to ease his way into his biggest challenge as a professional as he dished out some brutal blows to his rival, who did well to withstand the punishment on the ropes.

More drama arrived after the bell as Joshua landed a late shot on Whyte, and security was needed in the ring to help the referee separate the pair as the latter attempted to retaliate.

Whyte's response was impressive as, just when Joshua looked to be closing in once again, the Olympic gold medallist was caught with a left hook which appeared to leave him vulnerable for most of the second round.

Despite the pace slowing in the third round, both fighters continued to throw a lot of punches as Whyte grew in confidence before Joshua landed a big shot in round four to shake the legs of his opponent.

The referee stepped in to split up the fighters once again at the end of the fourth, and although Joshua continued to land the cleaner shots, his opponent remained resilient in his approach.

Joshua's power was clear as he pushed Whyte back once again with a shot in the sixth, and he was clearly in front, despite being taken to unfamiliar territory.

There was no sign of a momentum shift, and Joshua finished the bout in the seventh round when he followed a huge shot to the side of Whyte's head by chasing down his rival to land another blow which sent him to the canvas.

The referee was quick, and correct, to bring the fight to an end as Whyte struggled to climb to his feet while Joshua celebrated the win which moves him closer to a potential world title fight in the future.