By Tim Parsons-
World Champion Anthony Joshua smashed Alexander Povetkin after surviving an early onslaught from the Russian that saw the Londoner rocked as early as the first round. After shaking off another tough two rounds from the challenger, Joshua found his way to a seventh round stoppage at Wembley, successfully defending his three heavyweight title belts.
It was a tough fight for Joshua, and as predicted in my pre fight article, Povetkin lasted 7 rounds against Joshua in his second world title challenge. He presented the expected stiff challenge to Joshua, and on occasions looked like he could pull the upset many dreaded was possible. Joshua became only the first man to stop Povetkin, and the second man to defeat the Russian in 36 professional fights.
Following the win, the talk naturally moved to when Joshua will fight Deontey Wilder, but hints of that response came when Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearns said Joshua won’t fight in the U.S until 2019. WBC heavyweight champion, Deontey Wilder and his team have made no secret of their desire to stage the world heavyweight unification title fight in America, and have offered to put up £50m to support their seriousness. Joshua’s team have a different programme in mind and have always said they want to use the Londoner’s success to make the Uk a big boxing base for their fans.
”April 13 we know what we are doing, but we also have plans to fight in the U.S and other territories. I think you will see his first fight abroad in 2019. We don’t rule out fighting in the States or other countries . We are involved with serious players like DAZN, who want to back that fight as well.
”We live in a time when fans what things now and in a division where heavyweights can loose. So we want that fight now. If they want the deal, we need to start negotiating. If they don’t want to do that, we will box someone else and he will box again in November or December”. Joshua is still celebrating his knockout victory against Povetkin, knowing well that one mistake could have led to a different outcome. He can continue fighting in the U.k to the pleasure of his many fans, but many boxing fans want to see him go to foreign territory and build a name for himself there too.
Wilder is prepared to come to the Uk to face Joshua, but if he beats Fury in a devastating fashion on the U.S, Wilder’s will become a bigger force than he is in heavyweight boxing. Fury’s fights may not be the most exciting, but he is an unbeaten giant with enormous guts and determination. He beat Klitschko comfortably, and if he is destroyed by Wilder, the American may have greater power than Joshua and insist their fight happens in the U.S, and for a 50-50 split.
At the moment. Joshua’s team are calling the shots and may be in a position to do so for a long time. A devastating finish by Wilder against an unbeaten big man like Fury this year may make negotiations even tougher if Wilder’s team decide Joshua must come to America. Most boxing fans expect Wilder to beat Fury in December, but the gypsy king may produce a surprise performance that puzzles us. Fury is unpredictable and may be saving his best performance for the big fight. But a win for Wilder will put pressure on Joshua to make the Wilder fight happen whether in Uk or America.
More fights in the Uk is great for Joshua and his fans, but fans are wondering why Joshua could not have been lined up with American Jarrell Big Baby Miller in December this year, or early Janauary.
Hearns has been trying to line up Dillian Whyte for Jarrell Miller, Derek Chisora or Dominic Brezeale, but why not line Joshua up for Miller before April 13th? It is not clear whether Wilder will be contracted to face Fury again in a rematch if he looses in December, but a good idea would be Hearns considering putting Joshua in more fights before meeting Wilder.
It works out well for Joshua if an April deal to meet Wilder is not sealed because it gives Joshua more time to gain the needed experience he needs for Wilder. Fans want to see Joshua v Wilder next, but Wilder will have the edge in winning, just like he does against Fury, if the fight with the American is Joshua’s next opponent. Joshua’s team will disagree with this conclusion