Dillian Whyte will make the first defence of his WBC Interim Heavyweight World Title against Alexander Povetkin at Manchester Arena on Saturday May 2, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Brixton’s Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) landed the WBC Title with a unanimous decision win over Oscar Rivas in an exciting battle at The O2 in London back in July 2019 before travelling to Saudi Arabia in December where he outpointed former World Title challenger Mariusz Wach on the Ruiz vs. Joshua 2 undercard.

Russian dangerman Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs), an Olympic gold medallist and former WBA World Champion, proved that he still has what it takes to be a force in the Heavyweight division in 2019 with a win over Hughie Fury in August and a split decision draw with rising Heavyweight contender Michael Hunter in an all-out war in Diriyah.

“This is a great fight, Povetkin is an Olympic gold medallist, has loads of experience, he’s a former World Champion and he’s only lost to Joshua and Klitschko,” said Whyte. “He is still very dangerous, he gave AJ a lot of problems and then beat Hughie Fury. I am not overlooking him at all, he will come in shape, he’s tough and very well-schooled. 

“You only have to look at his resume to see that he’s always been considered as one of the most fearsome punchers in the Heavyweight division with big KO wins over Huck, Charr, Takam, Wach and Price. He showed in Saudi Arabia that he still has a lot left in the tank and he is still very dangerous. I’ve got respect for him but I’m on to maximum violence, straight animal instinct.

“I want to be Heavyweight Champion of the World so anywhere in the world is my lion’s den. If you aspire to be World Champion, you should be able to fight anywhere. Manchester is a great city with great fight fans and I’m looking forward to going back there.”

“I am pleased to fight Whyte, it has long been discussed but didn’t happen for whatever reason,” said Povetkin. “Dillian is a good strong boxer and it will make for an interesting fight. I am not about big announcements, I am about winning in the ring, and on May 2nd people will see a spectacular fight.”

“This is a Heavyweight thriller and so important to the landscape of the division,” said Eddie Hearn. “Dillian Whyte sits as Mandatory Challenger to Tyson Fury and while the wait is frustrating, Dillian continues to take high risk fights and that’s why he is such a fans’ favourite.

“The last time Dillian fought at this arena, we witnessed all time classic against Derek Chisora, We are planning a huge night in Manchester as Dillian Whyte continues to march towards a shot at the Heavyweight World Title.”

“I think all boxing fans can agree that we are up for a great fight,” said Head of World of Boxing Promotions Andrey Ryabinskiy. “Both stylistically and in terms of what’s at stake in this fight makes it a spectacular and anticipated event.

“Of course, we believe in Alexander but have to understand that Dillian Whyte is a tough opponent who’s strong and ambitious, besides he has come a long way to be in a championship fight. Many would wait out for an easier opportunity, but he decided that he needs this fight and it commands respect.”

“Dillian Whyte guarantees Heavyweight drama and we’re expecting another explosive encounter against Alexander Povetkin,” said Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing Development.

“Whyte is within touching distance of a World Title, but still keeps taking risks against dangerous rivals, and we’ve already seen the threat of Povetkin, who overpowered David Price and posed early problems to Anthony Joshua.

“Dillian can prove himself again as one of the world’s best and there could be a very special announcement in the coming days. May 2 in Manchester should be a magnificent night of boxing.”

Tickets for Whyte vs. Povetkin are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200 and £400 (VIP).

Tickets go on sale to Fight Pass members from 10.00am on Thursday March 5 via StubHb (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

General Sale tickets are available to purchase from 10.00am on Friday March 6 via Manchester Arena (www.manchester-arena.com), StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

Anthony Joshua regained the IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight titles with a 12-round unanimous decision over Andy Ruiz Jr. in a rematch for their June 1st fight. The bout took place in Saudi Arabia.

Drama started early as Joshua caught Ruiz in round one with a right hand that opened up a cut around Ruiz left eye. In round two, Joshua was cut over his left eye.

Joshua showed a different style then the way he fought in his 1st 22 fights, as he boxed and moved throughout the whole fight. Ruiz landed a couple of left hooks, but it was Joshua, who worked behind a great jab and he mixed in some ripping right hands and an occasional left hook. Neither man was in any danger of being in trouble .

Joshua won by scores of 119-109 and 118-110 twice. Joshua, 237 lbs of London is now 23-1. Ruiz, 283.7 lbs of Imperial Valley, CA is 33-2.

Anthony Joshua

On his performance: “Man, the first time was so nice – I had to do it twice! A man like me don’t make no excuses, my boy Derek Chisora said I could do this if I am ready to D-I-E. And look, this is about boxing. I am used to knocking guys out. Last time, I hurt the man and I got caught coming in. I gave that man his credit. There was no excuses. I respect Andy and his family and his trainers so much. I just wanted to put on a great boxing masterclass and also show the sweet science of this lovely sport. It’s about hitting and not getting hit.”

On any mental changes: “Never a change in mentality. You know the saying, ‘Stay hungry, stay humble.’ I have stayed hungry and I have stayed humble. I am humble in defeat and I will remain humble in victory. Thank you again to Andy Ruiz and his family, to Saudi Arabia and all of the traveling fans, all of my supporters.”

On handling Andy Ruiz’s pressure: “It’s all about preparation. Like I said, one day when I release a book I will walk through my career’s experience. It’s just about creating great memories. I took my L and I bounced back. Life is a rollercoaster. I heard some people say that we should retire if we lose. Hey Andy, are you ready to retire? (Andy: ‘No way, let’s go again.’) Exactly, we are warriors.” 

On a third fight: “Without a doubt. If you heard, we are going to do a third. He beat me fair and square the first time and I beat him fair and square the second time. So we will do it again. 100%.”

On where this win ranks in his career: “I just want to say I have the utmost respect for Andy Ruiz who beat me fair and square in the first exam. I failed the first time, but I came back and studied hard and passed this time. But this ranks second. The first would be my fight against Wladimir Klitschko. It means so much to me and I learned so much from that fight. I respect Wladimir so much and he gives me so much advice still. This fight ranks number two though.”

On being disciplined in this fight: “I know that my fans like to see me knock people out and I can do that but sometimes with certain fighters you have to box smarter.”

On fighting Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury: “What can I say? I have been speaking about these guys a long time. You see this time, when I had the opportunity to just focus solely on Andy,  my head is in the right place. When Wilder, Fury, Ortiz and Usyk are really ready, they will make the call. Until then, I respect them. I won’t continue to call them out. I am making my own lane and if they want to be a part of that, they will call. Ruiz did it and created a legacy. If those guys want to do it, they can create a legacy too. Look at all I have done, come on. When I call them out and do all of that, I lose focus.”

Andy Ruiz Jr

On his performance: “It was his night. I don’t think I prepared as good as I should have. I gained too much weight but I don’t want to give no excuses. He won, he boxed me around but if we do the third, best believe I will come in the best shape of my life.”

On his higher weight being an issue: “It kind of affected me a lot. I thought I would come in stronger and better. But you know what, next time I am going to prepare better with my team. This time I tried to train myself at times to get prepared but no excuses. Anthony Joshua did a hell of a job. Thanks to everyone in Saudi Arabia who supported.” 

On pressuring AJ: “I think I was chasing him too much instead of cutting off the ring. I just felt like I couldn’t throw my combinations. But who wants to see this third fight?”

Eddie Hearn

On what’s next: “We are going to celebrate. Anthony Joshua is an amazing ambassador for the sport. He has given everything to this sport. Tonight, in Saudi Arabia, he becomes the two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World and that is beautiful.

On his performance: “It was an absolute masterclass. He was able to stay disciplined. People have doubted his boxing ability, his endurance. He was humiliated at Madison Square Garden. It was the American coming out party and it was ruined. He could have brushed himself down and went off. Instead he came back and put on that performance and it was beautiful. That’s the sweet science. That was like Picasso on a canvas, paining a masterpiece.”

On Anthony’s comeback: “They wrote him off. They said he was all hype. He had to come back from humiliation at Madison Square Garden. Tonight, he is the governor. The governor of the division.”

On fighting in Saudi Arabia: “We got criticized for coming here but these people have been amazing. The vision they have for boxing in this region is incredible and they delivered.

On AJ becoming undisputed Heavyweight champion: “Tonight is about becoming the two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World. We can talk about that later. We’ve wanted the undisputed for years and years. We will do what Anthony wants to do and he’s always wanted to be undisputed. People listen to rubbish that he doesn’t want it and you know what, we won’t give them this. We aren’t even going to give them the airtime. He is the king. They wrote him off and said he all hype but look, he’s back. He is the king again. He is the one who continues to step up – Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder’s resume don’t even stack up. They world stopped to watch Anthony Joshua become the two-time World Heavyweight Champion today and it was all live on DAZN, baby.”

On fighting Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury: “Anthony has been chasing them for years. Those fights will happen. Maybe they were right to walk away from those fights back then because the fight is worth much more now. AJ wants the legacy. He created that legacy tonight in Saudi Arabia. He sells out arenas around the world. He is transforming boxing. These other guys can’t lace his boots! He is only 24 fights in and he is only going to get better.”

Michael Hunter and former world champion Alexander Povetkin battled to a spirited 12-round split draw.

Both guys were hurt and wobbled during the fight.

Each fighter won a scored card by a 115-113 margin, and a 3rd card was 114-114.

Povetkin, 229.3 lbs of Russia is 35-2-1. Hunter, 226.8 lbs of Las Vegas is 18-1-1.

Dillian Whyte won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Mariusz Wach in a heavyweight bout.

Whyte won the fight be working the body and landing some hard right hands. Wach landed a few hard rights throughout the contest.

Whyte, 271.1 lbs of London won by scores of 98-93 and 97-93 twice and is now 27-1. Wach, 270 lbs of Krackow, POL is 35-6.

Filip Hrgovic stopped former two-time world title challenger in round three of a scheduled 12-round heavyweight bout.

Hrgovic dropped Molina in round’s one and two, but referee Ian John Lewis ruled the shots were behind the head. later in round two, Hrgovic was credited with a knockdown after landing a thudding right to the body. In round three, Hrgovc landed a hard right to head that sent Molina down for the count at 2:03

Hrgovic, 241.1 lbs of Zagreb, CRO is 10-0 with eight knockouts. Molina, 248 lbs of Rio Grande, TX is 27-6.

“This is war, man. You use all your weapons,” said Hrgovi?. “I am ready for anyone, I want to fight the biggest names in the division, and I hope these warriors will accept.

“AJ and Wilder took longer to knock him out so I’ve made a statement. There were some technical mistakes so I still need to improve, but I have the best chin in the division. He gave me 3 or 4 of his best punches and never hurt me once.

“I would like to box in the UK. Give me the biggest names, Chisora, Whyte, I will fight anyone. I can be a World Champion in my next few fights.”

Mahammadrasul Majidov stopped Tom Little in round two of a scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Majidov landed a huge chopping right to the head that sent Majidov to the canvas. Little tried to fight back, but continued to take punishment and hard combination forced a referee stoppage at 1:49.

Majidov, 231 lbs of Baku, AZN is now 2-0 with two knockouts. Little, 251 lbs of Hatfield, UK is 10-9.

Hopey Price stopped Sweti Mohamed in the 3rd round of their four-round bantamweight bout.

Price, 125.9 lbs of Leeds, UK is 2-0 with one stoppage. Mohamed, 125.1 lbs of Tanzania is 12-7-2.

Diego Pacheco destroyed Selemani Said in the 1st round of their scheduled four-round super middleweight bout.

Pacheco dropped Saidi with a vicious right that sent Saidi down for several minutes.

Pacheco, 167.1 lbs of South Central Los Angeles is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Saidi, 166.8 lbs of Tanania is 20-16-5.

JOE JOYCE has sensationally called out heavyweight rivals Alexander Povetkin, Carlos Takam and Jarrell Miller after a European Title fight with Agit Kabayel fell through.

Germany’s Kabayel withdrew from today’s scheduled purse bid for a championship defence and therefore vacated his EBU European Heavyweight Championship.

“I’m very disappointed, as I would have liked to challenge Kabayel for the European title. He obviously never wanted to fight me in the first place,” said the 10-0 Olympic Silver Medallist before turning his attention to alternative opponents.

Former world heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (35-2) and France’s Carlos Takam (36-5-1) are high on ‘The Juggernaut’s’ wishlist.

“Hopefully I can fight Povetkin or maybe Carlos Takam for the vacant title!”

Joyce currently holds the WBA ‘Gold’ Heavyweight championship and is also open to defending his title in his next fight against outspoken American Jarrell Miller (23-0-1).

“If Jarrell Miller is flushed out, I will fight him next no problem for my WBA Gold belt!”.

Hall of Fame boxing promoter Frank Warren added: “We’re disappointed that Agit Kabayel has decided to vacate his title rather than fighting Joe Joyce.

“I think it’s clear he wants no part of the Juggernaut and is trying to hold onto this unbeaten record of his – a record he knows he would lose if he took on our man.

“We’ll sit down with Joe and the team and look at who’s next and who wants to step up!”

London, England (September 2, 2019) Following his dominant 12-round decision this past Saturday over heavyweight contender Hughie Fury, Alexander Povetkin has set his sights on another family member,

Lineal Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury.

“I’m very happy with my performance, we worked very hard in training camp and I was able to control the fight with my aggression,” said Povetkin who improved to 35-2, 24 KOs with the victory and earned the vacant WBA International Heavyweight Title. Scores were 117-111 on all three judges’ scorecards.  

The fight took place at the sold-out 02 Arena in London and served as the chief support to the Lightweight World Championship between Vasiliy Lomachenko and Luke Campbell and was telecast on ESPN+ in the United States and Sky Sports Box Office in England.

Following the victory, Povetkin quickly turned his attention to future bouts including a clash with Hughie’s cousin Tyson Fury. “He’s talked a great deal about me turning down offers to fight him this year which were never sent. He speaks of wanting to fight in England before the end of the year, this is a perfect plan for me. I’d be happy to return to fight in front of these great boxing fans and prove to them and the rest of the world that I can beat Tyson Fury.”

The victory for Povetkin on Saturday marked his return to the ring almost a year after his challenge to then Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua on September 22, 2018 which also took place in London, England.

Stated Andrei Ryabinskiy of World of Boxing Promotions, “Alexander still has the will and desire to fight and we want to give him another opportunity to fight one of the top fighters in the division.”

Said Vadim Kornilov, “Activity and staying busy is a key for Alexander. We were very impressed with the way he fought against Hughie Fury and would love to fight Tyson Fury in England later this year. Tyson does a lot of talking and has mentioned Alexander numerous times, let’s see if he’s serious.”

Vasyl Lomachenko scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Luke Campbell to retain the WBA and WBO and capture the WBC Lightweights at a sold out 02 Arena in London.

Lomachenko hurt Campbell at the enc of round five when he landed a hard left to head that was followed by a perfect left to the body.

In round 11, Lomachenko landed a flurry of punches that was punctuated by a jab that sent Campbell the canvas. Lomachenko sealed the fight when he hurt Campbell in the final round with his patented quick shots that forced Campbell to hold on and eventually throw Lomachenko to be able to survive the round.

Lomachenko of Ukraine won by scores 119-108 twice and 118-109 and is now 14-1. Campbell is 20-3.

Lomachenko outlanded Campbell 207-131.

After a hard-fought battle, this is what Lomachenko, Campbell and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum had to say.

Lomachenko

“Of course I’m happy. I want to say thank you to {everyone} who came to support us. I want to thank everyone who organized this fight. And, of course, I’m happy. Next… {I want to fight for the} IBF {title}. That is my title.”

“In the UK, the fans are the best fans in the world. Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Of course, I want to fight {for the IBF title}, but it depends on Bob Arum.”

Arum

“Obviously, we’re looking to win the fourth belt to unify the title. But Loma and {manager} Egis {Klimas} have told me they can’t wait to come back to the UK to fight here again.The English fight fans are the best fans in the world.”

“Luke Campbell didn’t disgrace himself. He fought a hell of a fight. He’s a hell of a fighter. Big, big heart, and Luke will be back.”

“Loma is up there with Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao. He belongs with those fighters.”

“Listen, it doesn’t matter. He will fight anyone at featherweight, super featherweight or lightweight. Only the best. He’s a special, special fighter.”

Luke Campbell

“He just beat me, so he’s very good. He’s a special fighter and we all knew he was a special fighter. This is boxing and we train to win. Obviously, I’m disappointed in myself for not getting the victory.

Former world champion Alexander Povetkin won a 12-round unanimous decision over Hughie Fury in a heavyweight bout.

Povetkin was able to turn up a very dull fight in the 2nd half of the contest.

In round nine, Fury began to bleed from the left eye.

Povetkin of Russia won by scores of 117-111 on all cards and is now 35-2. Fury of Manchester, Eng is 23-3.

Julio Cesar Martinez seemingly won the WBC lyweight title with a shocking 3rd round stoppage over reigning champion Charlie Edwards, but after several minutes the bout was overturned after Martinez landed a late-punch

Martinez landed about 10 unanswered blows that sent Edwards to the canvas. Martinez got in one more hard body shot while Edwards was on the canvas, but the referee ruled a knockdown and the bout was stopped at 1:43.

The bout was ruled a no-contest with an immediate rematch

Martinez of Mexico is 14-1.. Edwards is 15-1.

2016 Olympic Bronze Medal winner, Joshua Buatsi stopped Ryan Ford in round seven of a scheduled 10-round light heavyeight bout.

Buatsi hurt Ford in round seven with a clipping left hook. He followed that up with a flurry that was culminated by a body punch that sent Ford down for the count at 1:07.

Buatsi is now 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Ford of Edmonton, CAN is 16-5.

2016 Olympian Joe Cordina won a 12-round unanimous decision over Gavin Gwynne in a British Lightweight Title bout featuring undefeated fighters.

Cordina of Cardiff, Wales won by scores of 116-110 twice and 116-111 and is now 10-0. Gwynne is 11-1.

In a battle of undefeated super middleweights, Savannah Marshall stopped Daniele Bastieri in round five of their scheduled eight-round bout.

Marshall dominated, and in round five she landed a big right hand that dropped Bastieri at the end of the round five. Bastieri, bloodied, got to her feet the bout was stopped at 2:00.

Marshall is now 7-0 with five knockouts. Bastieri of Brazil is 2-1.

Hughie Fury believes Alexander Povetkin’s style is “perfect” for him as he prepares to take on the Russian danger man for the vacant WBA International Heavyweight title at The O2 in London this Saturday, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK. 

Aged just 24, Manchester’s Fury has been fearless in taking on the world’s Heavyweight contenders, losing a majority 12-round decision in a close and controversial WBO world title challenge to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in 2017.

Then, in October 2018, he travelled to Bulgaria to battle former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev, losing on points in a gallant and gory IBF Final Eliminator in Sofia. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Fury is aiming to impress against former world ruler Povetkin on his big Matchroom Boxing debut.

“Povetkin is a good opponent but I believe that I belong at this level and I’m going to prove it,” said Fury. “Eddie showed me other potential opponents but at the end of the day, if you believe you’re the best then you want to fight the best – and I do. I’ve had a bit of bad luck in previous fights but this is the time for me to shine and show people what I’m made of. 

“Stylistically I think he is perfectly made for me. He is a good fighter who can’t be underestimated, and one shot can end it all in the Heavyweight division. We’ve been working on things in this camp and brought in very good sparring partners who we’ve done lots of rounds with. I’m really looking forward to this and you will see on the night how I handle Povetkin.

“There’s nothing new with him, his style has always been the same. I will be the more active man in there and you can’t substitute for being active, but at the end of the day he is a professional and he’s experienced so he’ll be ready come fight night. I’m not really bothered about his power, I’m just concentrating on my own job and doing what I’ve got to do.

“A win against Povetkin puts me right back into the mix and this is where I belong. It puts me on the platform where I can fight anyone I want and it gives me respect and that’s what I want. I want to be in command and to fight the best. I’m not the sort of fighter who wants to keep fighting journeymen. I want to fight the best and prove I belong at the top.”

Fury vs. Povetkin features on a huge night of boxing in the Capital. 

At the top of the bill, Olympic Champions Vasiliy Lomachenko (13-1, 10 KOs) and Luke Campbell (20-2, 16 KOs) will clash for the WBC, WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World titles, WBC Flyweight ruler Charlie Edwards (15-1, 6 KOs) makes the second defence of his crown against Mandatory Challenger Julio Cesar Martinez (14-1, 11 KOs), Joe Cordina (9-0, 7 KOs) defends his British and Commonwealth Lightweight titles against Gavin Gwynne (11-0, 1 KO) in a mouth-watering battle of Wales, rising Light-Heavy star Joshua Buatsi (11-0, 9 KOs) defends his WBA International title against Canada’s Ryan Ford (16-4, 11 KOs), James Tennyson (24-3, 20 KOs) and Atif Shafiq (21-2, 5 KOs) meet for the vacant WBA International Lightweight title, Hartlepool star Savannah Marshall (6-0, 4 KOs) makes her highly-anticipated Matchroom Boxing debut, Sheffield amateur standout Dalton Smith (2-0, 1 KO) takes part in his first six round contest and Hull Super-Featherweight prospect Connor Coghill (5-0) lands a dream slot on his former manager’s (Campbell) undercard. 

Hughie Fury will take on Alexander Povetkin at The O2 in London on Saturday August 31 on the undercard of the huge Lightweight World title showdown between Vasiliy Lomachenko and Luke Campbell, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.

Aged just 24, Manchester’s Fury (23-2, 13 KOs) has been fearless in taking on the World’s Heavyweight contenders, losing a majority 12 round decision in a close and controversial WBO World title challenge to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in 2017.

Then in October 2018 he travelled to Bulgaria to battle former World title challenger Kubrat Pulev, losing on points in a gallant and gory IBF Final Eliminator in Sofia. He heads into his next challenge coming off the back of two wins over Chris Norrad and Sam Peter earlier this month.

Former WBA World Champion Povetkin, a 2004 Olympic gold medallist, was last seen falling short in his challenge to dethrone former WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO Champion Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September 2018, succumbing to an onslaught in round seven.

The Russian powerhouse (34-2, 24 KOs) remains one of the most fearsome punchers in the Heavyweight division and is well-known amongst UK fight fans following his devastating knockout of Liverpool’s David Price at the Principality Stadium in March 2018.

“I’m over the moon with this news,” said Fury. “I can’t wait. These are the kind of fights I want to be in. Matchroom can get me these big names and I’m just really looking forward to it. Povetkin is a dangerous man. You can’t take anything away from that. He’s not been where he’s been for nothing. It’s a very serious fight but I’m confident of getting the win on the night.

“This fight here represents a massive opportunity. As soon as it was suggested, I said ‘yes.’ Povetkin is a completely different level to my last fight and I believe his style will compliment mine.”

“Hughie Fury is a young, strong and challenging boxer for me to face,” said Povetkin. “I am glad this fight will take place in the United Kingdom where people really love their boxing. I am anticipating an exciting fight and I look forward to returning to London next month.”

“I can’t quite believe this fight has been made,” said Promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s happened very quickly and it has to be said Hughie Fury has a big set of balls. There’s huge risk in the fight but there is also huge reward and if Hughie can beat Povetkin on August 31 he catapults himself into huge fights and immediate World title contention. It’s going to be a great fight on a great card – a huge night for British boxing.”

Peter Fury, father and trainer of Hughie, added: “It’s a very big fight for Hughie. He gets big exposure and it’s like anything else. Eddie gave us a list of seven opponents and we said we want the best one – Povetkin.

“He’s gone the rounds umpteen times with top opponents. He’s a gold medallist amateur and a former World Champion. He’s a tough fight for anybody. He’s not ranked up there for nothing. I believe Hughie’s ready now. He’s had 25 fights as a professional and this is his time. He’s achieved a lot for his age already but he’s ready for the top.”

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: “Hughie Fury’s Heavyweight clash against Alexander Povetkin is an exciting first addition to the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Luke Campbell bill, with more thrilling fights to be added to another bumper night of action at The O2.

“We’re delighted to have Hughie Fury on Sky Sports Box Office, having worked with his cousin Tyson in the past, and Alexander Povetkin has always produced fireworks throughout his career. Luke Campbell will then test his razor-sharp skills against the supremely talented Vasiliy Lomachenko in a mouthwatering main event.”

David Price is desperate to taste victory again after suffering back-to-back defeats against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin and Sergey Kuzmin.

The Liverpudlian giant faces Tom Little on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s highly-anticipated rematch with Derek Chisora this Saturday at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US.

This is potentially the last throw of the dice for Price after a difficult 2018 and the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist plans on taking out Little in style to set-up some huge Heavyweight contests next year.

“I’m longing for that buzz of winning again,” said Price. “This is why Saturday is so important to me. I would love to get some momentum going and put together some good and see where it takes me, and then just go from there.

“It would be nice to get my hand raised, to get people congratulating me again, rather than commiserating with me. Instead of being the ‘nearly man’ or whatever, you’re a winner again. There’s nothing better than glory in sport. It’s what keeps fighters coming back. It’s that buzz, adulation, and everything that comes with it. It would be a good way to finish the year off.”

Price enters this weekend’s eight-round contest as a significant favourite but there’s no danger of him overlooking Little as he battles to keep his career breathing and he insists that the Hatfield man has his full respect.

“This fight is of the utmost importance really,” added Price. “It’s a massive fight that I just can’t afford to lose. It’s everything. Tom is a lot better than his record suggests, put it that way, but I would consider myself a level above him considering I’m a former British Champion and an Olympian.

“That’s not me being disrespectful as me and Tom get on well and we’ve done a hell of a lot of sparring together. He’s definitely bridged the gap from when I first started sparring him. I’m taking him really seriously. I still believe I’ve got something left in me to turn things around. There are that many big names in the Heavyweight division right now, or decent enough names, and everyone needs a dance partner.”

Main event sees fierce Heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora rematch after their Fight of the Year contender in December 2016.

Charlie Edwards gets a second shot at a World title when he challenges Cristofer Rosales for the WBC Flyweight World title, rising Croydon star Joshua Buatsi defends his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against tough Australian Renold Quinlan, British Featherweight Champion Ryan Walsh puts his Lonsdale belt on the line against Watford’s Reece Bellotti, with Ipswich Heavyweight Fabio Wardley and Nigerian Middleweight Linus Udofia also featuring on the undercard.

Very limited General Sale tickets are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

Deerfield Beach, FL (October 4, 2018)—Hall of Fame boxing promoter Don King and heavyweight contender Bermane Stiverne hoped to settle things in the ring in Yekaterinburg, Russia with former Olympic gold medalist Alexander Povetkin on Dec. 17, 2016.

Stiverne never got the opportunity in the WBC heavyweight eliminator that morning, when WBC officials announced Povetkin had tested positive for the illegal substance ostarine and the WBC pulled the sanctioning and the fight was cancelled.

King and Don King Productions and Stiverne will now settle things in court as they have filed suit for $2 million in the Court of Arbitration for Sport against Alexander Povetkin and the World of Boxing.

Don King Productions and the World of Boxing came to an agreement on Nov. 6, 2016 for the WBC sanctioned fight between Stiverne and Povetkin scheduled for Dec. 17, 2016 with the winner facing Deontay Wilder.

Both fighters were to receive purses of $1,424,250 and the winner of the fight would have earned an additional $316,500. It was the second failed drug test by Povetkin in a seven-month period.

Stiverne hopes to return to the ring to fight for the world title again.

“Povetkin and Ryabinsky can’t play by the rules of the WBC and VADA,”said King, “and they denied Bermane the opportunity of a lifetime to become heavyweight champion. All the hard work leading up to the fight and then waking up the morning of the fight in Russia and being told that there wouldn’t be a fight is devastating.”

Bart Barry-

Saturday world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua once again filled a gigantic football stadium and successfully defended his multitude of titles by knocking silly a man one doubted any man might knock silly. This time it was former Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Alexander Povetkin, possessed of both fists and chin. Joshua punched him till Povetkin’s trainer pleaded for mercy on the apron while the match’s referee tried to soften Povetkin’s second plunge to the blue mat.

Whatever happens next, let us pause and rejoice at a present good fortune so aptly illustrated through the pair of Povetkin challenges that just concluded. Before anyone scoffs or even dares consider it, he’s invited, first, to watch this fight, every last second of its 36 minutes, and see what Joshua so blessedly rid us of.

Have you forgotten how awful most Wladimir Klitschko title defenses were? I sure had. Then I took what happened Saturday and subjected my memories of it to what happened five years ago when Povetkin made his first title challenge. The aesthetical disaster of it, the frightfulness that made a man gargantuan as Klitschko fistfight in a way best classified as passive-aggressive: jab-jab-hook-bellyflop-armwrap-tackle | where’s the ref? | leapback-dolphinbreach-armwrap | where’s the ref? | jab-gloveswaddle-headtuck | where’s the ref?

We’re properly spoiled by Joshua if as aficionados we’re not genuflecting to him semiannually. He didn’t untitle Klitschko the way Tyson Fury did, by outwladding Wlad, but rather he made the temperamentally temperate titlist go man-to-man for once and beat him into retirement, beat him right, gave Klitschko a last stand more honorable than the sum of its 20 predecessor stands. And Klitschko thanked him for it in part because, as a 40-year-old man whose career began before YouTube, Klitschko hoped longsuffering fans long since driven to welterweight spectacles instead of his might recall of his legacy only the images of those final rounds in Wembley and the text of his resume.

But do notice how very little anyone misses the Brothers Klitschko, how fully this new era of heavyweights makes us forget the last era’s insipid sibling monopolists.

A brief recap why. Saturday the heavyweight champion of the world, in round 1, stood near enough and grappled little enough with a puncher who knew how to get his nose bloody bloodied and his equilibrium briefly beggared. No preceding quarterhour of guardslapping (what infamous 2008 tactic against Sultan Ibragimov got Wlad exiled a sevenyear from American arenas) – instead a man throwing hands with another man and letting come what might. Then a change in tactics that concerned punching, actual punching, a new target, a changed trajectory, but still punching, not fleeing, not landing the grand jeté, but punching a challenger who wanted to hurt the champ with every offering. And finally the finale, a gorgeous cross thrown at a man still plenty dangerous followed by a pursuit ferocious to a point near recklessness.

Joshua wanted to be tested in a way the heavyweight division’s previous princes never did. He justified once again his enormous following’s faith in him by competing and winning in entertaining a fashion as possible. Then he demonstrated an uncanny rapport with what 80,000 Brits braved the raw conditions of an outdoor arena where the skies drizzled them. He had a laugh at his promoter’s expense. He conceded a sense of the pressure so many folks’ reliance on him brings. He promised an April return. He named fellow titlist Deontay Wilder as his preferred opponent.

Not so fast, there, AJ. Whatever the oddsmakers say there’s good a chance as not a countryman of yours will wear the WBC belt in the new year, not Wilder. My, how fully we’ve forgot, on the evidence of a single showing a halfyear ago, how bad Wilder can be at boxing. And where Joshua should probably outclass the winner of Wilder-Fury nobody should be surprised if Fury outclasses Wilder, 11-1, in a soggydamp spectacle Americans in attendance do not forgive quickly.

There’s a mounting momentum that assumes Wilder deserves a win against Fury because of Fury’s apparent madness, and that’s not how our beloved sport works. Much as Wilder eschews traditional technique is how much Fury eschews traditional entertainment demands. Fury fights nothing like a man his size should, but his style is likely a full foil for Wilder’s. Everything that looked right about Saturday’s spectacle is what will look wrong in December.

Saturday’s challenger attacked, tried to take the champ’s crown by offing the head that bore it. And the champ replied with measure and mastery. Povetkin got in with clever aggression, throwing punches leveraged to devastate. He clipped Joshua with an uppercut-hook combo textbook as it was unexpected. He made an honest confrontation from the opening bell: I’m going to hit you hard as I can, and if that means you do the same to me I’m prepared for it. Before the match Joshua predicted a violent game of chess but it was blessedly more belligerent than that.

December, contrarily, will see a challenger actively endeavor to shame a champ from attacking him – making Wilder hate him so much before the opening bell Wilder hates the idea of failing to hurt Fury slightly more than he hates Fury. It’ll bring entertainment in both a different way and in the bizarre way only heavyweight prizefighters, among all athletes, can. Life’s greatest attestation to this may forever remain the number of German venues Wladimir Klitschko filled.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Anthony Joshua retained the IBF/WBA/WBO Heavyweight titles with a 7th round stoppage over mandatory challenger Alxander Povetkin in front of 80,000 at Wembley Stadium in London.

Povetkin rocked Joshua at the end of round one with a hard right hand.  Joshua was bleeding from his nose as Povetkin was able to sneak some counter right hands.  In round four, Povetkin was cut over his left eye from a punch.

In round seven, Joshua landed a booming 3 punch combination that sent Povetkin crashing down in his corner.  Povetkin was able to get to his feet, but that only prolonged the inevitable as Joshua pounced on his prey and landed several more flush power shots that had the referee stop the fight as Povetkin fell for a 2nd time at 1:59.

Joshua, 246.5 lbs of Watford, England is now 22-0 with 21 knockouts.  Povetkin, 222 lbs of Russia is 34-2.

Luke Campbell avenged a defeat to Yvan Mendy by turning the tables, and winning a 12-round split decision in a lightweight bout.

Campbell used a nice body attack and moved nicely throughout the 12 round affair.

Campbell, 134.6 lbs of Hull, England won by scores 119-109, 118-111 and 116-112 and is Now 19-2.  Mendy, 134.7 lbs of France is 40-5-1.

In an ugly cruiserweight contest, Lawrence Okolie won a 12-round unanimous decision over Matty Askin.

Okolie was deducted point’s in rounds five for headbutt, in round eight for a low blow, and round 11 for holding.

Okolie, 199.3 lbs of Hackney, England won by scores of 116-110, 114-112 and 114-113 to stay perfect at 10-0.  Askin, 199.8 lbs of Blackpool, England is 22-4-1.

Sergey Kuzmin stopped David Price after round four of their scheduled ten round heavyweight bout.

Price had his moements, but was exhausted after round four, and he pulled the plug on the fight.

Kuzmin, 244.6 lbs of Russia is 13-0 with 10 knockouts.  Price, 265.4 lbs of Liverpool, England is 22-6.

Shakram Giyasov remained undefeated by stopping Julio Laguna in round four of their scheduled eight-round welterweight bout of undefeated fighters.

Giyasov landed a huge flurry that sent Laguna to the canvas, and the bout was stopped at 38 seconds.

Giyasov, 143.2 lbs of Uzbekistan is now 5-0 with five knockouts.  Laguna, 142 lbs of Nicaragua is 14-1.

Follow all the action as Anthony Joshua defends his unified Heavyweight titles against Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium in front of more than 80,000 fans.  The action kicks off at 1 PM ET / 6 PM UK time with a 4-fight undercard featuring former world title challenger Luke Campbell as well as a heavyweight slugfest between undefeated Sergey Kuzmin and David Price.

THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY.  NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED

Round 1 Good body shot from Joshua..Short hook from Povetkin..Uppercut rocks Joshua

Round 2 Jab from Joshua..Joshua nose bleeding..Hook from Povetkin..Jab from Joshua..Right from Povetkin..Nice Jab from Joshua..16-7 for Povetkin in Power Punches through round 2

Round 3 Right from Povetkin..Hook from Joshua..Good left hook from Povetkin…Good right from Joshua..

Round 4  Povetkin bleeding over the left eye (From a punch)

Round 5 Right from Povetkin..Body shot

Round 6 Good hook from Joshua..Good jab and right from Povetkin..Lead left from Joshua..

Round 7  RIGHT..LEFT …BIG RIGHT …DOWN GOES POVETKIN…HUGE RIGHT ON THE ROPES…POVETKINS FALLS AS THE REF STOPS THE FIGHT

Round 1 Left from Mendy..Straight left from Campbell..Combination from Mendy

Round 2 Body shot from Campbell..combination..Sharp right from Mendy..Right..Good body shot from Campbell..Hard right from Mendy

Round 3  Left to body from Campbell..right from Mendy..Left from Campbell..Body shot..body..Body

Round 4 Right from Mendy..Body shot from Campbell..Combination..Body….Good body..Campbell out;anding Mendy 47-30 through 4 rounds.

Round 5 Campbell boxing well..Body work from Mendy..

Round 6 Good jab from Mendy..Right..Good straight left from Campbell..

Round 7 Right from Mendy…Body shot from Campbell..Right hook..

Round 8 Body shots from Campbell..Counter left

Round 9 Combination from Campbell..Right hook..2 right hooks and straight left

Round 10  Campbell lands a right hook to the body…Campbell lands 130- 752; Mendy lands   98-488 through 10 rounds

Round 11 Good right from Mendy…Right..Sharp left from Campbell

Round 12  Sharp left from Mendy…Hard body shot from Campbell.body shot

119-109, 118-111, 116-112 FOR LUKE CAMPBELL

Round 1 Left hook from Askin..Jab from Okolie…

Round 2 Sharp hook from Askin

Round 3 Okolie lands a body shot..Jab..Askin lands an uppercut..Okolie being warned for using his shoulder.. Okolie landing 32-150 punches…Askin 6-43 through 3 rounds

Round 4 Askin lands a body shot..Counter right

Round 5 OKOLIE DOCKED A POINT FOR A HEADBUTT…Askin lands an uppercut…Okolie warned for a low blow…

Round 6 Jab from Okolie

Round 7 Okolie lands a hard right hand..Right from Askin…Okolie outlanding Askin 53-28 through  7 rounds

Round 8  Right from Okolie.,,OKOLIE DOCKED A POINT FOR HOLDING

Round 9 Jab from Okolie..Body shot

Round 10

Round 11 OKOLIE DEDUCTED A POINT FOR HOLDING…

Round 12 Jab from Okolie

116-110, 114-112, 114-113 FOR LAWRENCE OKOLIE

Round 1 Good combination from Price..Body shot from Kuzmin..Left hook from Price..Good body shot from Kuzmin..Good left hook from Kuzmin..Double jab from Price..

Round 2 Good body shot from Price..Clubbing right..good body shot..right from Kuzmin..Over hand right

Round 3 Good counter right from Price..Hard flurry..Right from Kuzmin..Uppercut from Price..Body shot from Kuzmin..

Round 4 Uppercut from Kuzmin..Price warned for an elbow..Hard right from Kuzmin..Good right for Price….FIGHT IS OVER PRICE QUIT ON HIS STOOL..Price cites an arm injury

Round 1:  Right from Giyasov…Exchanging right hands..Right..Left to the head

Round 2 Good right from Giyasov..Body..Good right..Right down the middle..Left hook..Flurry on the ropes..Body shots..Straight right

Round 3 Overhand right from Giyasov..Good uppercut…Good counter..Body shot..Body shot from Laguna..GIYASOV LANDS A HUGE FLURRY AND DOWN GOES LAGUNA…FIGHT OVER

By Norm Frauenheim-

The heavyweights were supposed to be back. That, at least, was the overdrawn conclusion on that memorable day about 21 months ago when Anthony Joshua got up and stopped Wladimir Klitschko in a fight that was notable for what happened on both sides of the ropes.

To wit:

The fight was terrific.

The crowd, a reported 90,000 at London’s Wembley Stadium, was epic.

But a heavyweight resurrection was – still is – an illusion.

The momentum vanished about as quickly as Klitschko retired amid Joshua’s subsequent performances, both forgettable. Anybody remember his stoppage of Carlos Takam and his decision over Joseph Parker? Didn’t think so. Meanwhile, off-and-on talks for Joshua-Deontay Wilder are a tiresome reminder that business-as-usual means no business-at-all.

The good news, perhaps, is that there’s a renewed chance – there is always another one, of course – to at least revive the heavyweight division.

It begins with Joshua’s return to Wembley Saturday against Alexander Povetkin in front of a projected crowd of 80,000 in a bout that will also introduce UK promoter Eddie Hearn’s DAZN streaming service to the U.S.

Three months from now, Wilder is expected to fight the wildly unpredictable Tyson Fury. An announcement is reported to be imminent for a date sometime in December, perhaps in Los Angeles.

On the blueprint, both bouts look to be penultimate steps toward the only heavyweight fight that matters: Joshua-Wilder. Late last year, it was near the top of every wish-list for 2018. But it didn’t happen for all of the usual reasons. Whatever — whoever — is to be believed, the best hope now is sometime next year. Trouble is, Joshua-Povetkin and the projected Fury-Wilder is a dangerous combination. Both – either – has a real chance to knock Joshua-Wilder off those wish lists altogether.

Guess here, Joshua beats Povetkin, wears him out and down with his powerful upper body. At 39, Povetkin is down to his last chance. There’s motivation in that.

The Russian, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, also knows his way around the ring. For Joshua, that’s the problem.

Povetkin knows just enough to survive in what could be an ugly 12 rounds against Joshua, who has said he hopes to stop the Russian in the eight. He’ll clinch. He’ll grab. He’ll hold on, beaten on the scorecards yet still standing. Joshua then will find himself having to answer questions about another forgettable performance.

Povetkin is physically limited, but smart enough to threaten a Joshua career that needs a dramatic encore of the dynamic resiliency and power displayed in the Klitschko classic.

If Joshua wins, yet wins ugly, it’ll be up to Wilder to provide the kind of drama that fires up a worldwide appetite for a showdown with Joshua, who is an huge hit in the UK, yet has generated mediocre television numbers in the U.S. Wilder is the kind of trash talker who can win over American fans and offend the UK audience.

But can he beat Fury?

More to the point, perhaps, which Fury?

His litany of problems brought on by a crazy lifestyle and substance abuse are no secret on either side of the Atlantic or any other ocean, for that matter. When Fury is right, however, he is as clever a boxer as any among today’s heavyweights. He looks to be exactly the kind of skilled fighter who can give Wilder fits.

Wilder has been written off as one-dimensional for just about as long as he has been a pro. But that one dimension has proven to be unbeatable. His right hand is the biggest punch in boxing, and it might explain why we still haven’t seen him fight Joshua. Joshua got floored by a Klitschko right. Had Wilder landed that right, he’d still be on the canvas.

Nobody has figured out how to elude the Wilder right, or counter it. Fury might be that boxer, if – and precedent suggests it is very big if – he is conditioned and committed to remembering using everything in his versatile skillset.

Best scenario: Joshua gets his eight-round stoppage of Povetkin and Wilder’s right does what it has always done.

Fury-Povetkin isn’t on anybody’s wish list.

On Saturday, October 27, “Fire & Fury” will collide, as IBF #2-rated heavyweight contender Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev will face Britain’s IBF #5-rated Hughie Fury in a 12-round elimination bout at the Arena Armeec in Pulev’s hometown of Sofia, Bulgaria.

Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) and Fury (21-1, 11 KOs) will be competing for the right to face the winner of the September 22 showdown between champion Anthony Joshua and challenger Alexander Povetkin.

The event, entitled “Fire & Fury” will be presented by Ivaylo Gotzev and John Wirt’s Epic Sports and Entertainment, together with Fury’s promoter, Hennessey Sports, and will be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 5.

One of the most popular athletes in all of Bulgaria, 37-year-old Pulev is on a five-fight winning streak, including a TKO 3 over former heavyweight champion Samuel Peter. Among his many distinctions, Pulev is a former two-time European and IBF International Heavyweight Champion. He stands 6’ 4 ½” and weighs in around 240 lbs. Pulev’s only career loss came in a challenge for the undisputed heavyweight championship against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. Fury is the fourth opponent scheduled to face Pulev, as Britain’s Dillian Whyte and Americans Jarell Miller and Dominic Breazeale all declined the fight.

Pulev, who will be having his first bout since partnering with Epic Sports and Entertainment, says Fury better not be looking past him while preparing for this fight.

“The fact that Hughie Fury is coming to Bulgaria when many others ran away speaks volumes,” said Pulev. “I understand that he is very motivated because this is an eliminator fight for a chance at the world title. I suggest he stops thinking about the world title for a moment and come prepared for a real battle. I am already in beast mode and I’m hungry for my return in the ring!”

Fury hails from Manchester and is the current BBBofC British Heavyweight Champion and is trained by his father, Peter Fury. The 23-year-old stands 6’ 6” tall and also weighs in around 240 lbs. In September of 2017, Fury suffered his only career loss, a controversial majority decision to Joseph Parker for Parker’s WBO Heavyweight Championship.

“It’s taken a lot of time to make this fight happen and I want to thank all of those involved,” said Hughie Fury. “I want to fight for world titles and to do that I need to beat the guys at the top of the division. Kubrat Pulev is a serious fight for the mandatory position and I know I’ve got to be the real deal to beat him. I believe I’m going to do that in his back yard where others trembled at the thought of it.”

“We want to be involved in these big fight nights and to go up against the big names that lead the division,” added father and trainer Peter Fury. “To become a world heavyweight champion, you’ve got to overcome every challenge that’s put in front of you. And for Hughie that starts in Bulgaria in October.”

“In this day and age, when some promoters and their fighters opt for the safest bets, Hughie Fury has done the opposite,” said Ivaylo Gotzev of Fury, who has faced his own share of delays and disappointments on his way to this eliminator bout. “Fury has decided to step into the Lion’s Den, and fight Kubrat in his home town of Sofia. This matchup is intriguing, as two of the best in the division step up and face one another. We expect a great heavyweight battle – one that will decide one man’s destiny to fight for the most coveted title in the world – the Heavyweight Championship. To all of Team Fury – you are welcome in Bulgaria!”

Hennessy Sports CEO Mick Hennessy, promoter of Fury, said: “First and foremost I’d like to heap praise on my young fighter Hughie Fury. There’s no pantomime and no theatrics. He’s just a young man, full of respect for everyone he faces, and who believes in giving the fans proper fights and value for money. At just 23 years of age Hughie is a massive talent. He’s not perhaps got the plaudits he deserves, so this is his moment to make the boxing world really sit up and take notice of what he’s capable of.”

“I’d also like to thank my counterparts at Epic Sports & Entertainment for making this fight happen. It’s taken a lot to get to this point, but we were determined to give the fans a fight that they deserve. Both teams are excited about this one.”

The stacked International undercard, along with ticket details, will be revealed shortly.

Former world lightweight title challenger will look to avenge his 1st professional loss when he takes on Yvan Mendy on September 22nd at Wembley Stadium in London on the Anthony Joshua – Alexander Povetkin card.

“This is probably the biggest moment of Luke’s career so far,” Hearn said. “Win and he could challenge Mikey Garcia for the title, lose and his aspirations of fighting for a world title are over. It’s a 50-50 fight and a great addition to what will be a huge night of boxing.”

“I knew that Eddie Hearn would do his best to make this rematch happen and I’ll be fully prepared on Sept. 22,” Campbell said. “Seven fights and 2½ years later, it’s time to confirm that I deserve the chance to fight for the WBC title. I want to clear Mendy off my record. For reasons that I’ve talked about previously, I should have never got in to the ring that night, but what’s done is done, and I can’t wait to right that wrong on my record on fight night.

“Mendy’s always been on my list for sure,” Campbell added. “He’s been winning and it will be a very tough fight. He is a tough competitor, strong and durable. I am now a completely different person and a different fighter all around. I’m 10 times better than I was when he beat me 2½ years ago. I’m bigger, I’m wiser, my boxing ability is 10 times what it was back then.”

“I’m within touching distance of landing a shot at the WBC world title and Luke Campbell is standing in my way,” Mendy said. “I’m willing to fight anyone to get my hands on that green belt. I beat him before and I will do it again. This time he will not hear the final bell.”

https://www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing/videos/1634231826699104/

Anthony Joshua will face Alexander Povetkin for the IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight titles on September 22nd in London’s Wembley Stadium, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring; the end of March feels a long time ago now,” Joshua said in a news release. “Povetkin is a serious challenge that I will prepare meticulously for. He has serious pedigree, and only a fool would underestimate what he brings to the table.

“Training hasn’t stopped for me, but the next 10 weeks ahead will be intense both mentally and physically. I will push myself to breaking point to make sure I am in peak condition for another huge night for British boxing at Wembley Stadium.”

“The battle for the world title has always been my goal,” he said in the news release. “I fought for the moment to face the strongest in the world, and on Sept. 22, I get my opportunity. Anthony Joshua has [three major] belts, and I want them all. I’m glad that our fight will finally take place. The meeting of two Olympic champions in the ring is destined to be a breathtaking event.”

“I can’t wait to return to Wembley on Sept. 22 for what I believe will be one of the biggest tests of AJ’s career,” promoter Eddie Hearn said. “Last time he was there he produced one of the most dramatic fights and endings in the history of the sport, and I expect this fight to be full of energy and drama. Povetkin is a top-three heavyweight and extremely dangerous, but in AJ I see the best heavyweight in the world today and I think we will see a major statement.

“It will be another huge night for British boxing with major championship fights on the card and another one of those special nights and atmospheres that will be watched by millions all around the world.”

According to Dan Rafel of espn.com, talks have hit a roadblock in an effort to make a heavyweight unification mega fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
Wilder took to Twitter early Thursday morning to express frustrations with the Joshua camp’s move to fight Povetkin, calling the British heavyweight boxer “not a stand up guy.”

“We’re disappointed, but we’re not surprised,” said Wilder co-manager Shelly Finkel, who turned 74 on Wednesday, said about the deal falling apart. “Deontay and I thought about this, that they weren’t going to do the fight. We’re disappointed. We wasted a lot of time.”

Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn never responded but then raised the Wilder offer to $15 million. Wilder agreed to the money and to fighting Joshua in the UK. Finkel received a contract late last week that said he would return it to Hearn with comments Friday, which drew Hearn’s ire.

“I immediately thought what a load of bulls—. I spoke to my dad [Matchroom boss Barry Hearn]. He said, ‘They’re playing games.’ When Finkel said, ‘We’ll get it back to you on Friday — six days later — the WBA said enough’s enough. Shelly knew the WBA was calling me every day. Tuesday, I spoke to Joshua and he said, ‘We’re not getting into any purse bids, losing any belts, we’ll fight Povetkin and then Wilder.’ … If you have a so-called manager that received a contract and you want the fight so bad for $15 million and the undisputed title, and you don’t read that within 24 hours and have it back within 48 hours, you’re doing your fighter a disservice.”

“Forget the fact that six days later they haven’t come back with any comments,” Hearn said. “When Finkel sent the email on Sunday he knows the points they want to raise, yet they tell us they’ll send us the comments on Friday. On what planet does that make sense to anybody? Shelly says, ‘They made a bulls— offer and we decided to accept. He didn’t want to do the deal. This deal is not expired, though. This deal is available to sign today, tomorrow, next week, probably in a month. So for all the bulls— about how we’re running, why don’t you call our bluff and sign a contract, and I will sign quicker than your ink will dry [for an April fight].”

Said Finkel: “If he said I have to have it back by Wednesday he would have had it back.”

Hearn said, “I sent a personal email to Deontay and I said to him I’m very disappointed your team did not come back to me with comments on the contract. We hope we can get this fight over the line and we look forward to receiving a signed contract or comments as soon as possible [to fight in April].”

“I said I will give you $5 million to make a defense of your title in America in September or October on DAZN before entering the Joshua fight in April. Therefore, it was a two-fight deal for $20 million,” Hearn said. “But I told him you don’t have to take two fights. You can do your own thing in the fall and then go right into the Joshua fight in April.”

“I have never heard of a rematch clause one way for this kind of fight,” Finkel said. “This is a monster fight and we expected the contract to be like the Klitschko contract [which had mutual rematch considerations]. If Eddie wanted to make the fight he would not have put a one-way rematch clause in there. And to send a contract without a date and site? When I asked on Sunday, he never gave it to us. To me, that’s how you do things if you don’t want to fight. There was no deadline [stated for the Povetkin fight], otherwise we would have gotten back to him sooner.

“I’m not talking about what I said or he said. I have the paperwork, the emails to show what he said. He makes up whatever he wants at the time because he has Joshua and he thinks it gives him credibility and people want to believe him.”

Said Hearn: “Only if Anthony Joshua loses is there a rematch, and it would be in America with a 50-50 split. That was in the written terms.”

Hearn said even though Joshua will be favored, he’s worried about the fight with Povetkin (34-1, 24 KOs), 38, a 2004 Russian Olympic gold medalist. Povetkin, twice caught using performance-enhancing drugs, only lost by decision to Klitschko in 2013.

“Massive danger. I don’t like the fight,” Hearn said. “I think it’s a mad fight to take with the Wilder fight at the door, but that’s AJ. He thinks him and Povetkin is a great fight, a great statement and he’s one of the best heavyweights. He’s not taking easy touches waiting for Wilder. By fighting these guys, Wilder can’t say he’s afraid to fight him.

“It’s in the hands of Deontay Wilder. So every Instagram video he posts saying Joshua doesn’t want the fight, shut up. Come back with the comments on the contract and we’ll work it out [for April].”

Said Finkel: “Eventually, Joshua’s going to have to fight us.”

Alexander Povetkin will defend his WBA Inter-Continental and WBO International Heavyweight titles against David Price at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on March 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Former WBA ruler Povetkin is the mandatory challenger for the WBA Super title held by Anthony Joshua MBE, who meets Joseph Parker in a unification blockbuster at the top of the bill. The Russian powerhouse will be targeting a showdown with the main event winner, but must first make a second successful defence of his titles having seen off Christian Hammer in December after winning the belts in July against Andriy Rudenko.

“I’m very excited to be fighting on this huge show,” said Povetkin. “I expect to put on a great performance and then go on to fight the Joshua vs. Parker winner later this year.”

Price has other ideas as he lands a golden opportunity to take a seat at the top table in the Heavyweight division. The Liverpool favourite returned to action in December in Essex after his loss to Hammer in February, and the 34 year old is determined to take this golden chance on a ‘life changing’ night.

“It is a massive, massive chance for me and it has come from nowhere,” said Price. “I wasn’t expecting an opportunity like this to appear so it was a no-brainer.

“It is a big ask for me to go out and win this fight but upsets do happen in sport. I have been on the wrong end of upsets in boxing and I think I am due a bit of luck. I have a belief that this fight has come at the right time for me and I have a belief that I am going to win the fight.

“Without doing myself a disservice, every dog has its day and I have a feeling that this is doing to be my day and everything that has happened has led to this.

“I have never found myself in this position where I have been the big underdog and I have everything to gain. I will go in there completely free of any pressure and I think people will see the best of me for that very reason.

“Make no mistake, I am coming to win. At first, I was just grateful for the opportunity but now in my mind I have to win this fight. There is plenty to gain and too much upside for me not to win this fight – it could be life changing. I am desperate to win this fight and I will do everything in my power to do so.

“I know it will be a hard fight, anything can happen in a fight and I may have to get off the floor to win. It is going to be the hardest fight of my life but something is telling me it is going to be my night.

“Sparring will be key for me. I am going to have to take myself out of my comfort zone when it comes to sparring for this fight. I need to bring in world-class sparring partners who will test me every day. We will go away to Germany for some sparring, we haven’t got any names yet but we are having a look.

“In the past I have performed my best when I have been really tested in the gym and in sparring, so that will be key for this fight. I need to be prepared for what is to come because it is going to be a hard fight and as long as I am prepared physically and mentally then nature will take its course.”

Povetkin and Price clash on a huge night of boxing in Cardiff as Joshua and Parker battle for the IBF, WBA Super, IBO and WBO World titles.

Limited tickets remain on sale for the event priced at £300 and £600 from www.stubhub.co.uk

Coach packages are on sale via www.seetickets.com with various pick up/drop off locations available throughout the UK.

For accessibility and wheelchair tickets – please contact the Principality Stadium via 02920 822432.

Official hospitality packages are available to purchase directly from Principality Stadium Experience. Both private suite and premium lounge packages are available to purchase, with prices starting from £450 per person + VAT. For further information please call the team on 02920 822 413.

Official Hospitality packages are also available via Sportsworld via www.sportsworld.co.uk or by calling 0208 9712966

Authorities are strongly advising fans to allow plenty of time to get into both Cardiff and Principality Stadium and to plan their travel before purchasing a ticket. Details can be found via the Information tab at: http://www.principalitystadium.wales/events/v/joshua-v-parker-2018-03-31

The WBC’s March 2, 2017 ruling (the “Ruling”): (1) suspended Mr. Alexander Povetkin from participating in any WBC-sanctioned bouts indefinitely; (2) imposed a $250,000 USD fine; and (3) designed a testing protocol for Mr. Povetkin to commence as soon as feasible after the Ruling, which would continue for one year thereafter.

Further, the Ruling provided that Mr. Povetkin would be able to apply for reinstatement into the WBC after the one-year anniversary of the Ruling. At that time, if the results of every anti-doping test he would have taken pursuant to the testing protocol set forth in the Ruling were negative, the WBC would consider deferring the remaining of his suspension.

Mr. Povetkin appealed the Ruling under the WBC’s Rules & Regulations, prompting the WBC to undertake a thorough process. The WBC’s Rules & Regulations provide for an appeal procedure which first step includes a facilitated resolution process between the appealing party and the WBC President. That procedure resulted in a resolution of Mr. Povetkin’s appeal, after the WBC received, reviewed and took into consideration additional technical and scientific extenuating information. That information bolstered the WBC original ruling on Meldonium, and provided the basis for the WBC to supplement its ruling concerning Ostarine.

The WBC-facilitated resolution of Mr. Povetkin’s appeal resulted in today’s definite and final Ruling from WBC Board of Governors, under which the WBC has:
1. Amended Mr. Povetkin’s indefinite suspension and imposed instead a one (1) year suspension from the date the sample that tested positive for Ostarine was collected, or until December 6, 2017, after which time Mr. Povetkin shall be eligible to engage in WBC sanctioned activity;

2. Imposed a one (1) year period of probation starting on December 7, 2017, after which time Mr. Povetkin shall be free and clear of any penalty as long as he does not test positive for any banned substance during the remainder of the suspension and subsequent probation, or until December 6, 2018;

3. Upheld the previously imposed fine;

4. Ordered the continuation of the previous specific testing protocol the WBC had designed for Mr. Povetkin until December 6, 2018;

5. Required the WBC Ratings Committee to make a reasonable evaluation of Mr. Povetkin’s merits and rating based on his prior performance and prior rating, and include him in the WBC World Ratings the month subsequent to the end of the one-year suspension (January of 2018); and

6. Ordered Mr. Povetkin to participate in a doping prevention campaign with the WBC.

Moscow, Russia (June 16, 2017) Former WBA Heavyweight Champion ALEXANDER POVETKIN, (31-1-0, 23 KO’s), is making every effort to become a world champion leading up to his July 1 fight with ANDRIY RUDENKO, (31-2-0, 19 KO’s), in Moscow, Russia for the WBO International Heavyweight Title.

Enrolled in the combat sports’ toughest year round drug testing program, VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association), Povetkin was recently informed that tests performed on May 15 and May 16 were reported with negative results.

“I look forward to being tested by VADA and competing at a world class level, I want to prove to everybody that I am a clean fighter and that I can become a world champion again,” said Povetkin. “Andriy Rudenko is a tough fighter and I’ll have to be at my best to be victorious.”

“Vada is recognized as the highest standard for doping control in boxing and I want to prove through my testing with them that I’m a clean fighter and will work hard towards my dream of becoming the heavyweight champion of the world once again.”

“I have never tried to avoid any of the testing that I have done in the past, and I personally signed up for the VADA Clean Boxing program and I will continue my participation in the program working towards my goal.”

Said ANDREY RYABINSKIY, “We are glad that things are going well and I will do everything possible to give Alexander a chance to fight for the world title again, we have encountered certain setbacks, but we hope to persevere.”

Stated VADIM KORNILOV on behalf of WORLD OF BOXING, “Alexander is very excited about the upcoming challenge from Andriy Rudenko. He looks forward to moving through the rankings towards a world title opportunity against any political or non-political barriers. We are pleased working with VADA and are currently working on the best possible plan with the organizations that are happy to work with Povetkin and hopefully have him as one of their champions one day, but for now his focus is completely on July 1 and Andriy Rudenko.”

POVETKIN vs. RUDENKO is presented by World of Boxing from the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia and will be telecast in the United Kingdom by BoxNation. Other media and distribution channels will be announced in the near future.

LONDON (9 June) – Big-hitting Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin returns to the ring on July 1st to take on the teak-tough Andriy Rudenko, exclusively live on BoxNation.

The heavyweight scene has enjoyed a resurgence in recent times with a host of young and talented fighters emerging to rekindle what has historically been boxing’s glamour division.

‘The Channel of Champions’ BoxNation has showcased some of the very best, including Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, the legendary Wladimir Klitschko and thrilling young British prospect Daniel Dubois.

With the world titles being scattered around since Fury shocked the boxing world by defeating Klitschko in 2015, the doors have been opened for a number of heavyweights to stake their claim as the new number one of the division.

37-year-old Povetkin, who has undergone a tumultuous few months, will be looking to throw his name back into the hat when he faces the Ukrainian Rudenko.

Both men will have their eyes on landing a world title shot, with Povetkin, who has lost just once in 32 fights, that being against Klitschko in 2013, going in as the favourite.

Rudenko, however, will be no easy feat having taken both Hughie Fury and Lucas Browne the distance, despite subsequently losing on points to both undefeated fighters.

The 33-year-old has a streak of seven wins and in his previous fight in Kiev in December he emerged victorious against American fighter Jason Bergman.

BoxNation will broadcast the fight exclusively live from the Russia Central Concert Hall in Moscow from 8pm on Saturday July 1st.

Jim McMunn, BoxNation Managing Director, said: “The heavyweight division is amongst boxing’s most exciting. Alexander Povetkin has been touted as one of the division’s best for a while and he will now be hoping to prove that over the coming months. In Andriy Rudenko he faces a fighter who British fans will know from his clashes against Hughie Fury and Lucas Browne. He is a very capable and dangerous fighter on his day. BoxNation subscribers will be able to enjoy top heavyweight action once again on the channel when we broadcast this fight exclusively live on July 1st.”

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

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About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated boxing channel. From £12* per month with no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.
Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Khan vs Canelo.
The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.
Available on selected internet-connected Freeview products only, subject to coverage. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability.
BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.
For more information visit www.boxnation.com
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