Anthony Joshua needs to ‘annihilate Povetkin threat early on’

ANTHONY JOSHUA has vowed to โ€œshut downโ€ the knockout power of Alexander Povetkin.

Joshua, the WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion, faces experienced Russian campaigner Povetkin at Wembley on Saturday.

The 39-year-old challenger has only been beaten once in his career, a loss to Wladimir Klitschko in 2013, and boasts 24 knockouts from his 34 wins.

Promoter Eddie Hearn fears the fight will be the second toughest of Joshuaโ€™s career behind his epic win overย Klitschko last year.


And 28-year-old Joshua is certainly not taking his opponent lightly.

The Brit said: โ€œIn the heavyweight division not only are they talented but one punch changes the course of the fight. We all know that story.

โ€œHeโ€™s got that punching power, heโ€™s got big knockouts on his record, so itโ€™s down to me to handle business accordingly.

โ€œHeโ€™s a threat with the left hook, but not only that, itโ€™s how tough they are, how much do they want it?

โ€œHe could have the best left hook in the world but if I keep punching him and breaking him down it might stop him from doing that, so these attributes need to get shut down early.

โ€œIโ€™ve got to annihilate that from early on. Heโ€™s got a lot in his locker so I need to take control early.

โ€œThe last time at Wembley was against Klitschko, and I think Povetkin is the right opponent to bring that style of fight out of me. Itโ€™s all about the โ€˜Wโ€™.โ€

Hearn admitted he wasย โ€œnervousโ€ about the showdown, which will be undefeated Joshuaโ€™s 22nd professional bout.

โ€œItโ€™s a massive show, a massive event with the biggest star in world boxing and the best heavyweight in the world,โ€ Hearn told Press Association Sport.


โ€œBut Iโ€™m a bit nervous because I think this is a much tougher fight than people give it credit for. Boxing fans know how big a fight this is and how tough a fight this is.

โ€œOutside of Klitschko I think on paper this is the toughest fight of Joshuaโ€™s career so far.

โ€œHeโ€™s expected to win. But Povetkin punches very hard, heโ€™s got a good chin, heโ€™s durable. I expect this to be a real test.โ€

Assuming Joshua comes through unscathed all eyes will be on a potential bout to unify the division against WBC title holder Deontay Wilder.

alexander povetkin has lost only one of his 35 fights
Alexander Povetkin has lost only one of his 35 fights (John Walton/PA)

But Hearn has warned Wilder, who is set to fight Joshuaโ€™s fellow Brit Tyson Fury later this year, and his team to come back to the table or risk missing the boat.

โ€œWe want the undisputed fight, but itโ€™s very difficult to make a fight when other teams arenโ€™t particularly interested in talking to you,โ€ added Hearn.

โ€œFor us itโ€™s all about Saturday, then a WBO mandatory defence, but an undisputed fight would be allowed, itโ€™s just a case of when we can get that done.

โ€œMy advice to Wilderโ€™s team, if we beat Povetkin, is hurry up, because you havenโ€™t got long.โ€

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