Anthony Joshua nears another massive event this Saturday night as Britain’s boxing star takes on Alexander Povetkin.
In a real West meets East battle, Joshua puts his belts on the line against the controversial Russian figure.
Povetkin, the subject of two failed drug tests in the past, comes into the fight arguably on the wrong side his prime and with a final shot at glory.
Joshua has been highly criticised for not facing Deontay Wilder, as originally planned, but has the chance to impress a whole new audience.
The Wembley bout represents Joshua’s first appearance on the new streaming app DAZN following a billion dollar deal with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn.
DAZN have taken on the entire stable of fighters Hearn currently possesses and backed the promoter for new signings in the form of Demetrius Andrade and Oleksandr Usyk.
Being the face of the deal has major ramifications for Joshua, who will be expected to lead by example in London.
Speaking about the deal and his initial apprehensions, Joshua is excited about being involved.
“DAZN is big. Sometimes when I start meetings I put trust in people. I put trust in Eddie Hearn and my management team,” said Joshua.
“Eddie told me I should get involved and sit down, hear out what’s going on. I wasn’t sold straightaway, but you need to sift through everything and I found out this is a really good platform to be on.
“It’s new, it will take time to build, but we can’t wait to get going. We’ll be on the 22nd and in the States, it’s affordable and works well across the world.
“I look forward to being a part of it. Hopefully, I can get some shares in the company down the line.”
Joshua added his thoughts on the build-up and fight itself.
“The market is so different now and there’s no room for error anymore.
“I sit in my little room and with social media I can track people’s lifestyles and I see people my age on the beach.
“When I was 28, my parents were struggling. So no one shows the struggle. What makes boxing so difficult is that it’s about a perfect record.
“In a perfect fight I get knocked down, he gets knocked down,” concluded the 28 year-old.
Expectations are on another Joshua knockout having been taken the distance for the first time in his career last time out.
Joseph Parker proved Joshua is human, but approaching his 40th birthday, it’s hard to say the same about Povetkin..
David Price pointed out faults in Povetkin’s chin and engine last time out, and Joshua is exceptional at exposing both.
Money will be flooding on a stoppage at some stage, and despite AJ eyeing the 8th, Povektin may not make it past the sixth.
Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay
Fans can sign up for DAZN for only $9.99 per month – following a one-month free trial – by registering at DAZN.com.
Or by downloading the DAZN app on a wide range of connected devices, including smart TVs, PCs, smartphones, tablets and game consoles.
FIGHT INFORMATION
WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
DOORS 17:30
LIVE SKY SPORTS BOX OFFICE
18:10 | 8 x 3 mins Welterweight contest @ 10st 9lbs
SHAKRAM GIYASOV 10st 3lbs 2oz vs. JULIO LAGUNA 10st 2lbs
(Uzbekistan) (Nicaragua)
10 x 3 mins WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship
SERGEY KUZMIN 17st 6lbs 6oz vs. DAVID PRICE 18st 13lbs 4oz
(Russia) (Liverpool)
12 x 3 mins British Cruiserweight Championship @ 14st 4lbs
MATTY ASKIN 14st 3lbs 8oz vs. LAWRENCE OKOLIE 14st 3lbs 3oz
(Blackpool) (Hackney)
12 x 3 mins Final Eliminator for WBC Lightweight Championship @ 9st 9lbs
LUKE CAMPBELL 9st 8lbs 6oz vs. YVAN MENDY 9st 8lbs 7oz
(Hull) (France)
21:50 RING WALK
12 x 3 mins WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO World Heavyweight Championship
ANTHONY JOSHUA 17st 8lbs 5oz vs. ALEXANDER POVETKIN 15st 12lbs
(Watford) (Russia)
FLOATS:
4 x 3 mins Welterweight contest @ 10st 10lbs
CHRIS KONGO 10st 9lbs 8oz vs. PETAR ALEXANDROV 10st 11lbs
(Bermondsey) (Bulgaria)
4 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight contest @ 13st
DANA ZAXO 12st 13lbs 4oz vs. TONY BILIC 13st 2oz
(Hammersmith) (Croatia)
Saturday’s event will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN, with live coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.
WEIGHTS
12-round WBA, IBF, WBO World Heavyweight Championship
ANTHONY JOSHUA v ALEXANDER POVETKIN
(Watford) (Russia)
246.5 LBS 222.0 LBS12-round Lightweight Bout @ 9st 9lbs
LUKE CAMPBELL v YVAN MENDY
(Hull) (France)
134.6 LBS 134.7 LBS
12-round Cruiserweight Bout @ 14st 4lbs
MATTY ASKIN v LAWRENCE OKOLIE
(Blackpool) (Hackney)
199.8 LBS 199.3 LBS
10-round Heavyweight Bout
SERGEY KUZMIN v DAVID PRICE
(Russia) (Liverpool)
244.6 LBS 265.4 LBS.
8-round Welterweight Bout @ 10st 9lbs
Fans can sign up for DAZN for only $9.99 per month – following a one-month free trial – by registering at DAZN.com.
Or by downloading the DAZN app on a wide range of connected devices, including smart TVs, PCs, smartphones, tablets and game consoles.
