ANTHONY JOSHUA has vowed to โshut 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 Joshuaโs career behind his epic win overย Klitschko last year.
Several responsibilities put me here ~ go get it regardless #AJBXNG pic.twitter.com/kRfFz54HRJ
โ Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) September 18, 2018
And 28-year-old Joshua is certainly not taking his opponent lightly.
The Brit said: โIn the heavyweight division not only are they talented but one punch changes the course of the fight. We all know that story.
โHeโs got that punching power, heโs got big knockouts on his record, so itโs down to me to handle business accordingly.
โHeโs a threat with the left hook, but not only that, itโs how tough they are, how much do they want it?
โHe 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.
โIโve got to annihilate that from early on. Heโs got a lot in his locker so I need to take control early.
โThe last time at Wembley was against Klitschko, and I think Povetkin is the right opponent to bring that style of fight out of me. Itโs all about the โWโ.โ
Hearn admitted he wasย โnervousโ about the showdown, which will be undefeated Joshuaโs 22nd professional bout.
โItโs 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.
Champ #JoshuaPovetkin pic.twitter.com/dYOu192qiF
โ Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 19, 2018
โBut Iโm 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.
โOutside of Klitschko I think on paper this is the toughest fight of Joshuaโs career so far.
โHeโs expected to win. But Povetkin punches very hard, heโs got a good chin, heโs 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.
But Hearn has warned Wilder, who is set to fight Joshuaโs fellow Brit Tyson Fury later this year, and his team to come back to the table or risk missing the boat.
โWe want the undisputed fight, but itโs very difficult to make a fight when other teams arenโt particularly interested in talking to you,โ added Hearn.
โFor us itโs all about Saturday, then a WBO mandatory defence, but an undisputed fight would be allowed, itโs just a case of when we can get that done.
โMy advice to Wilderโs team, if we beat Povetkin, is hurry up, because you havenโt got long.โ