Joshua v Povetkin: AJ wise to not underestimate Russian fighter

Preview and odds for Wembley bout

It might not be the fight he or his camp wanted, but Anthony Joshua will defend his WBA, IBF and WBO belts against Alexander Povetkin at Wembley on Saturday night.

AJ was hoping to secure a fight with Deontay Wilder, but talks fell through and Povetkin is the mandatory WBA challenger.

The 39-year-old Russian isn’t to be taken lightly, though. His only loss came against Wladimir Klitschko via unanimous decision back in 2013.

The build-up

Many were hoping that this fight would finally see AJ face Wilder. Talks were on-going but an agreement couldn’t be reached.

That’s handed Joshua some criticism in the build-up to Saturday night. The 28-year-old has responded by saying he will not be ‘drained’ by the naysayers who wanted a Wilder showdown.

Povetkin is no mug. The Russian is 34-1 and knocked out David Price on the Joshua-Parker undercard in Cardiff. And like Joshua, he defeated Carlos Takam in 10 rounds.

Going all the way with Klitschko was no small feat either, especially given that the great Ukrainian was four years younger than when he took on Joshua as a 41-year-old in that famous 2017 bout.

The key stats are against Povetkin. He’s 11-years AJ’s senior and will be giving away four inches in height and seven in reach, but that didn’t stop him against the 6ft 8in Price, did it? He’s a respected fighter and Joshua has spoken highly of him in recent weeks.

The odds

Joshua has also spoken of how he’ll need to adapt his approach for Povetkin’s small frame, but he still heads to Wembley stadium as a confident 1/10 favourite.