“One punch can change the course of history.” – Anthony Joshua
After witnessing Saul Alvarez defeat GGG last weekend, boxing fans are set to enjoy yet another tasty clash this coming weekend.
On Saturday, September 22, 2018, Anthony Joshua will face Alexander Povetkin in a world heavyweight clash. AJ’s Russian opponent is the mandatory challenger to Joshua’s WBA title and the Briton will be defending his WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO belts when the two fighters meet.
As usual, Wembley Stadium (London) will be packed to the rafters. Subscriptions to pay-per-view will definitely be on the rise too as both boxers – who are both Olympic Gold medallists – will trade punches inside the ring.
Even with this fight, most of the talk is still about when AJ will face Deontay Wilder. A unification title fight with Deontay Wilder was put on hold when it was announced Joshua’s next challenger would be 39-year-old Povetkin; who has suffered just one professional defeat in a career spanning 13 years at the hands of Wladimir Klitschko.
Can AJ keep his focus, defeat Povetkin and continue his run of form?
Click here to put your money where your mouth is.
While fans have to wait for that fight to happen, who is Povetkin?
The 38-year-old Povetkin was the WBA champion from 2011 to 2013 and is now the WBA’s mandatory challenger, meaning Joshua has to fight him or face being stripped of his title.
Since making his professional debut in 2005, he has suffered only one defeat: losing by unanimous decision to Wladimir Klitschko in Moscow in 2013. At 6 ft 2 in, the Russian is a relatively small heavyweight. But he may prove to be a banana peel for Anthony Joshua.
Povetkin is the AJs shortest opponent in terms of height and reach, a feature he has used to his advantage in knocking out his opponents. After having WBC title fights called off in 2016 after positive doping tests, Povetkin is unlikely to have too many more opportunities to win gold again.
For Anthony Joshua, the numbers are known to all. Still unbeaten. 21 bouts. 21 wins via knockout.
Bouts between British boxers and Russia boxers go way back in history. Povetkin’s last fight involved knocking out David Price. And now he’s set to go up against another British boxer.
He has not lost a professional boxing fight before.
But can Povetkin be the first man to inflict a first defeat on AJ?
Click here to predict and win.
For both fighters, this bout is as important as any previous fight. A loss for either fighters will mean that their records will be further dampened. While Povetkin has one loss already, AJ will try hard to avoid one.
But can he win this fight: whether via knock-out or points or technical decision? Leave us your comments and share your thoughts with us.
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