20/08/2022
May 30, 2015 met with former world title contender American Kevin Johnson. The fight was originally scheduled for January 31, but Joshua suffered a back injury and the fight was rescheduled. At the end of the first round, Joshua knocked Johnson down (2 in his career). Johnson got up, but Joshua with a combination sent him to 2 knockdowns. The gong sounded. The referee allowed Johnson to continue the fight. In the 2nd round, Joshua arranged a finishing move for a shocked opponent. The referee stopped the fight. Johnson suffered the first and only early defeat in his career. After this fight, Joshua rose to the 2nd line of the WBC rating.