Boxing-Joshua retains IBF heavyweight title in Manchester

Dec 10 ( Reuters) - Britain's Anthony Joshua retained his IBF world heavyweight boxing title and continued his perfect run with a clinical third round stoppage of American Eric Molina in Manchester on Saturday.

After two probing opening rounds, the 2012 Olympic champion landed a powerful right to send his outclassed opponent crashing to the canvas for his 18th win in 18 professional fights.

Molina, 34, clambered back to his feet as the count reached eight but the referee then stepped in again to stop the fight after two minutes and two seconds of the round.

The Texan had fought for the world title once before, losing to Deontay Wilder for the WBC crown in 2015.

Khalid 'Kal' Yafai earlier took the WBA super-flyweight world title after outpointing Panama's Luis Concepcion 120-108 119-108 117-110 to become Britain's 14th current world champion.

Concepcion had already been stripped of the belt after failing to make the weight for the voluntary defence on Friday, meaning only his 27-year-old opponent -- now unbeaten in 21 professional fights -- could win it. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Peter Rutherford)