NEWS
WBA Orders Joshua To Fight Povetkin
Anthony Joshua’s plans to unify the division by facing Deontay Wilder may have to be put on hold after the WBA ordered him to take on mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin by September.
Joshua [21-0, 20 KOs] won the WBA strap last year, knocking out Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley to win the then-vacant belt — but he now looks set to have to defend both that belt as well as his IBF and newly claimed WBO title against the Russian.
Povetkin featured on the undercard of Joshua’s bout against Joseph Parker last weekend, knocking out David Price in brutal fashion before Joshua defeated Joseph Parker, and now Povetkin looks set to get a shot at reclaiming the WBA belt that he lost to Klitschko back in 2013.
“The WBA called the mandatory yesterday for AJ to face Povetkin next,” promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports. “We have a 30 day window to negotiate — at this stage it means it’s very likely Anthony’s next fight will be between [Deontay] Wilder or Povetkin.”
With a mandatory challenge being set, Joshua and his camp will either need to fight Povetkin next, agree a step-aside deal — which could see the Russian face Dillian Whyte, or vacate his WBA belt. However, Povetkin says that he only has eyes for Joshua.
“I am an obligatory challenger for the championship fight,” Povetkin said on the prospect of facing Joshua. “I really look forward to the moment when I can fight with the strongest in the world.
“Now Anthony Joshua has four belts. I really want this fight, but I do not even want to think about proposals to box with other rivals.”
Copyright LEADERSHIP.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from LEADERSHIP Nigeria Newspapers. Contact: editor@leadership.ng
Loading ...
-
CRIME20 hours agoMurdered Banker Suffered Severe Brain Injuries, Pathologist Tells Court
-
NEWS20 hours agoPress Statement From The Wife Of The President
-
NEWS20 hours agoOsun Poll: PDP Accuses INEC Of Removing 4,387 From Party’s Valid Votes
-
CRIME20 hours agoPolice Arrest Lawyer With Fake Judgement Document To Evict Tenant
-
NEWS20 hours agoAtiku To Nigerians: Reject APC Totally In 2019 Poll
-
POLITICS19 hours agoStop Plans To Sabotage PDP In Kogi, Youth Group Urges Secondus
-
CRIME21 hours agoLagos Residents Seeks IGP Intervention Over Incessant Robbery Incidences
-
NEWS3 hours agoJUST-IN: Omisore Backs APC In Osun Rerun