Joshua vs Povetkin: Big Fight Preview

Joshua vs Povetkin: Big Fight Preview

The big middleweight showdown in Las Vegas last weekend was very much the good, the bad and the ugly side of boxing. Despite the savage thing of beauty Golovkin and Alvarez gave us, what came before and to a far lesser extent what came after, spoiled and tarnished what went on inside the squared circle.

As we move to Wembley Stadium this weekend we have similar circumstances surrounding Anthony Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin. The dark side of the sport always seems to be never far from the surface and Saturday nights heavyweight spectacle is no exception. Like Alvarez, many will argue that Povetkin shouldn’t be fighting period, let alone being given such a massive opportunity and the obvious lucrative financial rewards which comes with that opportunity. But while we shouldn’t forget what came before we must focus on the present and for now at least concentrate on the fight itself.

Deontay Wilder was most people’s preferred option to be in the opposite corner to Joshua, but once the negotiations failed to result in a deal and the blame game started, Povetkin was always the likely plan B opponent, many would even say he was always the plan A option.

Povetkin (34-1) despite being 39 and widely considered to be on the slide, is still a dangerous opponent. If I had to rank Povetkin, I would put him at number 3, behind Joshua and Wilder and probably just above Dillian Whyte and Luis Ortiz. Povetkin has enough danger in his fists to pose a real challenge, on paper at least, he looks to be a far tougher opponent than the likes of Charles Martin and Dominic Breazeale.

Joshua (21-0) despite being the IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight champion, is still very much a work in progress, learning his craft at the very highest level of the sport. Joshua has shown flaws, we know he can be hurt, we have seen him slow down in the middle rounds, Povetkin is more than capable of upsetting the odds if given the chance.

Povetkin was badly beaten by Wladimir Klitschko in his only professional defeat in 2013, getting dropped multiple times before losing widely on points. In his 8 fights since Povetkin has remained unbeaten and has beaten the likes of Carlos Takam, Mike Perez and last time out David Price. While the finish was impressive, Price badly hurt Povetkin in the 3rd, a matter of seconds was the difference between winning and losing.

Both fighters can be hurt, both have power, and that adds intrigue to the fight. Even if one of them gets on top you have a sense it could still turn around at any moment. Joshua wants to be more aggressive after boxing a ‘safe’ fight against Parker, but that could be his undoing. The champion would be wise to box with caution and with one eye on his gas tank, one mistake could see his unbeaten record end.

Povetkin will keep coming forward and I don’t see him being blasted out, Klitschko couldn’t put him away remember. But Joshua is the one who is improving and Povetkin despite still being a real threat isn’t as good as he once was. I feel Joshua to lose he would have to make a mistake, similar to the way he so nearly came unstuck against Whyte.

While it might not be to everyone’s liking, the Parker tactics might be the best and the safest option for Joshua and despite what he says, that is what I think he will do. Joshua will try to keep it at range, using his superior reach and not letting Povetkin get in the pocket which is his best chance of victory.

Eventually Povetkin will get worn down, it might take a few knockdowns but eventually, Povetkin will be bludgeoned to defeat, probably with the referee coming to his rescue somewhere around the 8th round.