A previously close contest turned in Joshua’s favour decisively, when he sent the Russian crashing to the canvas, with a straight right hand and left hook.
Povetkin regained his feet, but Joshua resumed with a barrage of punches.
It forced referee Steve Gray to stop the contest at one minute and 59 seconds of the seventh round.
Victory saw Joshua, the London 2012 Olympic champion, extend his unbeaten professional record to 22 wins from 22 fights, with 21 knockouts.
