The 22-year-old, a former world amatuer championship silver medallist, defeated Italy's Roberto Cammarelle on Sunday in front of an electric British crowd at the ExCeL Arena.

Joshua, who has secured Team GB's third medal in the sport in the space of a week, told the BBC immediately after his fight: "Once again, there are no easy fights in these Olympics. I have pulled it out of the bag and my heart is pumping with adrenaline. The third round is always a good round for me. Again and again, the crowd have come out.

"Sunday is a holy day and I have been blessed. I want to gain more experience and keep on pushing. I am still an amateur. That medal represents my journey and the support from my team. It is much more than a gold medal, it is a life experience. It is not just me, it is my fallen soldiers and the ones who have made it."

Anthony Joshua, originally from London, studies at Dearne Valley College in Rotherham. 

Meanwhile, University of Bath student Samantha Murray claimed the nation's last medal of the Games with a silver in the women's modern pentathlon. 

By Stuart Appleby