It might not be the monster clash with Deontay Wilder that fans were expecting but it’s a job that needs to be done for Anthony Joshua.
Joshua will defend his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles against Alexander Povetkin on Saturday night and it will be no easy task for the undefeated Brit.
Povetkin’s only career defeat came against the legendary Wladimir Klitschko in 2013 and while the Russian might be a 6/1 underdog, many feel that those odds do not reflect the threat posed by Povetkin.
Joshua and Povetkin hit the scales on Friday ahead of their Wembley meeting and ‘AJ’ came in significantly heavier.
Joshua seems to have levelled out as he weighed in at a comfortable 17st 8lbs at the weigh-in ceremony in Islington, which is almost bang in the middle of his last two official weights.
FACE OFF | @anthonyfjoshua vs Alexander Povetkin 🔥🔥🔥
Tomorrow night… 👑👑👑👑 #JoshuaPovetkin pic.twitter.com/9DfG3XtNw0
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 21, 2018
Prior to his unification clash with Joseph Parker in March, Joshua came in at his lightest in years at 17st 4lbs but before that, he tipped the scales at his career-heaviest 18st 2lbs for his title defence against Carlos Takam.
He appears to have found his comfort zone now but he still came in almost two stone heavier than Povetkin, who registered 15st 12lbs on the scales on Friday.
“He’s going to be quick. He’s going to be fast. That’s why I’ve got to put on my dancing shoes and be sharp with my feet,” Joshua said in response to his opponent’s weight.
“I always look at it this way – if they’re strong in the head then you take them out to the body and if they’re strong in the body then you take them out to the head. Sooner or later, they’ll fold.
“I’m a physical, strong guy who knows how to box so it’ll be a good, competitive fight.”
