IT’S IRON CURTAINS FOR AJ
Russian says sport ‘outside of politics’ ...but insists ‘walls are closing in’ on Brit
RUSSIA’S Alexander Povetkin claims “the walls are closing in” on Anthony Joshua.
Povetkin has tried to turn up the heat on Joshua for their world heavyweight title clash at Wembley tomorrow – by insisting all the pressure is on the unbeaten champ.
“Yeah, perhaps there is more pressure to win on his shoulders,” he said.
“There’s a saying in Russia: you feel like the walls are closing in.
“Psychologically, I’m very stable. I don’t feel under any pressure.
“There was a lot more pressure on me for the Wladimir Klitschko fight in 2013 because it was in Moscow. I felt a lot more pressure then than I do now. Then, the walls were closing in on me!”
Povetkin, 39, challenges Joshua against the backdrop of the increased tension between Britain and Russia and he claims fight fans will know if he is cheated by any bias.
“I think they should judge fair because the fans here love their boxing,” he said. “They know their boxing and they will know if it is not fair.
“I have always had a strong belief that sport is outside of politics. The last time I came here, I saw the fans’ attitude to me and that showed me sport is outside of politics.”
Vladimir Putin will watch the fight and Povetkin may receive another invitation to the Kremlin if he wins after his visit there in 2004 when he won Olympic super-heavyweight gold.
“Our president loves sport,” he said. “He is an athlete, he’s always training, and I’m sure he’s going to watch the fight.”
Kursk-born Povetkin insists that he can upset the odds to beat the bigger Joshua.
“Size does not concern me at all,” he added.
“Big guys always have their weaknesses.”