Joshua now has Povetkin lined up

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S next fight will probably be against Alexander Povetkin – the Russian who knocked out Liverpool’s David Price on the undercard of his last world title defence.

Joshua was yesterday given a 24-hour deadline to sign to fight Povetkin or face being stripped of one of his four crowns, the WBA belt.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has been negotiating for a unification bout with WBC champion Deontay Wilder, but the WBA has lost patience and want Joshua to face its No1 challenger.

Negotiations with the Wilder camp appear deadlocked and former champion Povetkin, who lost his crown to Wladimir Klitschko in 2013, represents the next-best bet for a stadium-filling bout this autumn. Hearn had felt he was close to agreeing a deal with Wilder, but the American’s team say they want “clarifications”. Hearn said: “We can’t do a lot more. I think Anthony’s frustrated that he feels people feel he might not want the Wilder fight – he’s desperate for it. We sent the contract nearly nine days ago. They know we’re under pressure from the WBA and it all feels like a big game.” JASON MOORE is confident that England will play New Zealand in America again next year.

Moore is the brains behind the 2025 World Cup in North America and he staged the first mid-season Test between England and the Kiwis at Denver’s Mile High Stadium on Saturday, which Wayne Bennett’s side won 36-18.

The Australian promoter is keen to establish rugby league stateside but doubts persist over whether a three-year plan for England to play New Zealand in the US will materialise.

Moore said: “I think it’s more likely than unlikely to be played again next year. If the NRL are going to keep fishing in the same pond, their tiny little pond will run out of fish.”