Anthony Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin- Fight/Undercard Preview

Anthony Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin- Fight/Undercard Preview

By Michael Richards

A big night of boxing awaits this Saturday, as Anthony Joshua makes his 6th World Heavyweight title defence, against the dangerous Alexander Povetkin. The masses had hoped 22nd September at Wembley Stadium would be the night we have the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. However with ongoing negotiations with Wilder and his team proving fruitless for now, we are served up what could still be Joshua’s most dangerous fight to date.

It is clear from the build up to this fight, AJ seems that little bit more angry and irritable. People questioning his integrity and heart about whether he really wanted the Wilder fight are sure to have irked him. This attitude can only be a good thing from the fans perspective, with AJ keen to get back to his destructive ways and take out any frustration on the powerful Russian, Povetkin.

Joshua will be wise however, to not get drawn in to a tear up, especially early on. Povetkin has proven over the years he carries destructive power, especially in that left hook of his and could detonate it against the bigger Joshua. The Russian is bullish and technically sound and could make things very difficult. He showed last time out against David Price, that he can hurt his opponent and be hurt, but recover. Clearly AJ and Price are in different leagues in boxing terms, but size and comparable power between both Brits show you need to be switched on and ruthless if you are to stop Povetkin.

Joshua won’t be overlooking this fight, but clearly one eye will slightly be on his next bought in April, again at the home of English football. He will hope for Wilder (Fury fight outcome permitting), but all roads seem to lead to a rematch with Dillian Whyte. A fight which will capture the boxing public’s imagination again, no doubt. Lose to Povetkin and the AJ steam train slows and potentially massive fights in the near future don’t materialise. Win, and the Road to Undisputed continues, full steam ahead.

On the undercard of this event, Luke Campbell is looking to avenge his first ever pro defeat against strong Frenchman, Yvan Mendy. The defeat came at a tough time for Campbell and with new trainer Shane McGuigan in his corner, he is much fancied to beat Mendy and challenge for world honours again. Mendy has continued his winning ways since defeating Campbell, so comes into the fight in a decent position, especially mentally.

A recently announced bout for the same night is unbeaten Sergey Kuzmin against Povetkin’s last victim, David Price. The loveable Liverpudlian is thrown into another fight which could prove to be very difficult, with Kuzmin stopping 9 of his 12 opponents, including early Anthony Joshua foe, Konstantin Airich. The general consensus is that it won’t go the scheduled 10 rounds, with both possession knock out power. The question is, can Price’s chin hold up and give him the opportunity to land his right hand. One thing is for sure: DON’T BLINK!!

The pick of the undercard is the British Cruiserweight Title fight between champion Matty Askin and Lawrence “The Sauce” Okolie. Both men are confident ahead of this bout, with Askin keen to prove the hype surrounding the ex-Olympian is a fallacy. Okolie goes into his tenth professional fight looking to pick up the British belt that should elevate him to the next level. Both boxers are big industrial units, with Okolie’s long levers the potential deciding factor. He is tipped for the upper echelons of the ever popular Cruiserweight division, however the tough Askin knows, if he can halt the Okolie charge, he will have the right to walk the path laid out for the Hackney man.