Anthony Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin: Undercard, prediction, betting tips, live stream, TV channel – boxing preview
Anthony Joshua puts his IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles on the line against Alexander Povetkin on Saturday 22 September at Wembley.
A unification title fight with Deontay Wilder was put on hold when it was announced Joshua’s next challenger would be 39-year-old Povetkin; who has suffered just one professional defeat in a career spanning 13 years at the hands of Wladimir Klitschko.
At 6 ft 2 in, the Russian is a relatively small heavyweight but could present Joshua with one of the trickiest examinations of his abilities to date. Povetkin is the champion’s shortest opponent in terms of height and reach, something he has used to his advantage in knocking out men Joshua’s size in the past.
Joshua need look no further than Povetkin’s performance on the undercard of his title defence against Joseph Parker last March; brutally stopping David Price with a thunderous left.
After having WBC title fights called off in 2016 after positive doping tests, Povetkin is unlikely to have too many more opportunities to win gold again.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of the fight...
Date, time and venue
Joshua vs Povetkin headlines the card at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 22 September.
The main event is expected to begin at no later than 10pm due to a noise curfew in place at the venue. Sky Sports Box Office will be broadcasting the entire undercard live, kicking off at 6pm.
Live stream and TV channel details
The fight will be shown exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office, priced at £19.95.
The card is also available to stream live for non-Sky customers via the Sky Sports Box Office app, available on PC/desktop, mobile or tablet devices or via the NOW TV box or Smart Stick.
What they said
Anthony Joshua: “I’m going to go out there, meet him head on and take him out. It is a banana skin for those reasons because we are both warriors, we like a scrap.
“But so be it. This isn’t about one fight that defines me, this is about my whole career. Alexander Povetkin is a real banana skin. He is very dangerous and very talented as well.
“I have to take him deadly serious, because he has got the capability to beat people at this level. He’s here for a reason.”
Alexander Povetkin: “There is never any thoughts about losing. I think just about just coming to the ring and winning. I do everything for that.
“We have two scenarios – whether Anthony Joshua will decide to have a rumble, or he will keep the distance. We have both scenarios, we don’t know how he it will go. We are ready for any style of fight.”
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Anthony Joshua to win in round 1: 18/1
Anthony Joshua to win in round 3: 11/1
Anthony Joshua to win in round 6: 9/1
Anthony Joshua to win in round nine: 12/1
Anthony Joshua to win by decision: 10/3
Alexander Povetkin to win: 7/1
Povetkin to win by decision: 25/1
Povetkin to win by KO, TKO or DQ: 8/1
Anthony Joshua to be knocked down and win: 8/1
Click here to find the latest fight odds and place a bet.
Prediction
Undercard
Luke Campbell vs Yvan Mendy
Matty Askin vs Lawrence Okolie
Sergey Kuzmin vs David Price
Matchroom are expected to confirm a full undercard in the coming days.