By Jeff Aranow: IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will be defending his titles against Alexander Povetkin on September 22 on Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn’s DAZN streaming service.
Joshua vs. Povetkin
Anthony Joshua vs. Alexander Povetkin official for September 22
By Scott Gilfoid: It’s now official that IBF, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (21-0, 20 KOs) will be defending his title against former WBA champion Alexander Povetkin (34-1, 24 KOs) on September 22 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. This is the fight that Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and Joshua wanted.
Joshua vs Povetkin official
Anthony Joshua OBE will defend his WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World titles against WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE on September 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Hearn says Deontay Wilder should receive less for Joshua fight on April 13
By Scott Gilfoid: Not only is Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn not willing to increase the $15 million flat fee offer that he previously made to WBC heavyweight champion Deontay ‘Bronze Bomber’ Wilder to face Anthony Joshua (21-0, 20 KOs) on April 13, but he’s now saying that he thinks the American fighter should receive a smaller flat fee offer.
Finkel says Joshua’s promoter never wanted Joshua-Wilder fight next
By Scott Gilfoid: WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel says Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn never seriously wanted to make the Joshua-Wilder fight next for September. Finkel says Hearn had a two-fight deal for Wembley Stadium in London, and he was just looking for a way out of having to make the Joshua vs. Wilder in 2018.
Anthony Joshua: I’m waiting for a signature
By Scott Gilfoid: Anthony Joshua took to his social media site today to post a photo of himself upside down, saying that he’s still waiting for a signature. IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Joshua (21-0, 20 KOs) and his wily promoter Eddie Hearn are both waiting for WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder to agree to the $15 million flat fee offer given to him, which he’s no longer interested in accepting for a fight next year on April 13 at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
Warren thinks Joshua making mistake fighting Povetkin
By Scott Gilfoid: Promoter Frank Warren thinks Anthony Joshua is potentially making a huge mistake in choosing to face Russian Alexander Povetkin instead of facing WBC heavyweight champion Deontay ‘Bronze Bomber’ Wilder in a unification fight. Warren sees the Povetkin bout being a risky one for Joshua that could go badly for him. If Joshua loses to Povetkin, then the Wilder fight won’t be as big as it would have been.
Anthony Joshua to fight at Wembley Stadium on Sep.22 & Apr.13
By Scott Gilfoid: Anthony Joshua will be fighting at Wembley Stadium on September 22 this year against Alexander Povetkin and then on April 13 in 2019 against potentially Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury or Dillian Whyte. It’ll be one of those three that will get the April 13 date next year. Wilder has been offered a contract to fight Joshua on April 13, which he hasn’t accepted yet.
Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin sign for VADA testing for September fight
By Trevor McIntyre: WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and former WBA belt holder Alexander Povetkin have both reportedly signs for VADA drug testing ahead of their fight in September at a still to be determined venue in the UK.
Deontay Wilder: I hope Povetkin knocks Joshua out
By Scott Gilfoid: WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder tried his best to get the unification fight against IBF/WBA/WBO champion Anthony Joshua but in the end, the British fighter and his promoter Eddie Hearn preferred to go in the path of safety by choosing to face WBA mandatory Alexander Povetkin (34-1, 24 KOs) next.