SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Sheff Utd vs. Hull City: 15 hrs 37 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Wilder would be my number one choice for April bout, says Anthony Joshua

:Headline: Wilder would be my number one choice for April bout, says Anthony Joshua: ID:336442: from db_amp
His camp is also targeting Dillian Whyte for the April 13 date at Wembley.

Anthony Joshua has targeted Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte in his pursuit of an opponent for his April 13 date at Wembley after clinically defeating Alexander Povetkin.

He showed greater maturity and further signs of improvement as he absorbed the Russian's aggression before adapting and ruthlessly stopping him in the seventh round to retain his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles.

Joshua had recovered from being hurt by a left hand in the opening round and initially boxed through a heavily bleeding nose as the 39-year-old Povetkin continued to both miss and land with further lefts.

It was from the third that the champion began to dictate the range and pace of the action, and the seventh when he changed the fight with a huge right hand before securing the stoppage after the first knockdown.

Povetkin had previously only lost to Wladimir Klitschko, and over the distance while the Ukrainian was at his peak, and while Joshua showed signs of vulnerability, his latest victory showed why many consider him the best in the world.

Wilder is scheduled to defend his WBC title against Tyson Fury on December 1, but overlooking his domestic rival in favour of the American and Whyte, the 28-year-old Joshua said: "My number one (choice) would be Wilder. No contract's signed.

"(There's also a) mutual respect fighter to fighter, so if Dillian wants it then he's more than welcome. Let's finish the year on a high.

"We'll put a poll out on Twitter; anyone's welcome (as an opponent). There's always complications and (mandatory) fights we have to do, but sport is about what the fans want.

"Alexander Povetkin is a very tough challenger; he proved that. But I've come in here to have fun, do what I've been working on in the gym and give it my best.

"I realised he was strong to the head, but I know that he was weak to the body, so instead of jabbing to the head, I was switching it up.

"He threw a good right, but let's not worry about that, that's out the way, let's figure out what's happening April 13."

Anthony Joshua celebrates defeating Alexander Povetkin (Nick Potts/PA)

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn previously failed to secure Wilder as an opponent in a unification match-up that would be the most lucrative in the division, but insisted he would make a fresh attempt to do so.

He also works with Whyte and Dereck Chisora, who are expected to have a rematch in December, and while Fury has already claimed on social media that they will never consider him, Hearn said: "Joshua is a player in this game. The one stepping up and taking on great fighters.

"He is a special talent and a great model. There was a lot of pressure; Povetkin is a great fighter.

"Joshua's a real world champion; we will go away now and try and make a fight with (Deontay) Wilder.

"(This) was about getting that big banana skin of Alexander Povetkin out the way.

"If it's not Deontay Wilder then it will be Whyte here on April 13."

amp_article__336442 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-09-23 08:18:35:
html db last update - 2018-09-23 08:18:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Alexander Povetkin

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool21155150203050
2Arsenal22128243212244
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest22135433221144
4Chelsea22117444271740
5Manchester CityMan City22115644291538
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle22115638261238
7Bournemouth22107536261037
8Aston Villa2210663334-136
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2281043530534
10Fulham228953430433
11Brentford2284104039128
12Crystal Palace226972528-327
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2275102732-526
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs22731245351024
16Everton214891828-1020
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2244143251-1916
18Ipswich TownIpswich2237122043-2316
19Leicester CityLeicester2235142348-2514
20Southampton2213181550-356
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .