GUIDE TO THE BIG FIGHT

IT WOULD not shock me to pick up my copy of the Mail on Sunday tomorrow and see headlines about Anthony Joshua being beaten. You cannot overstate the threat Alexander Povetkin poses. Too many people are saying ‘but he’s not Deontay Wilder, he’s not Tyson Fury’. Trust me, this guy is dangerous. He is quick, powerful, a former Olympic champion and his only loss came against Wladimir Klitschko, and the Klitschko he fought was better than the one Joshua beat. He’s not the tallest so he fights in the style of Mike Tyson and Sonny Liston with his head on your chest, beating on your body and looking to snap out with a hook or uppercut. He’s not as crude as Liston, but he showed against David Price that he is wily enough to draw you in and punch with devastating power. He hasn’t got the reach so he’ll try to keep this his kind of fight and that means on the inside but he can also take a punch. It won’t be enough for Joshua to just hit hard. When you keep getting hit hard, as long as you’re still awake, you get used to the power and Povetkin has shown he has the heart to walk through big punches to win a fight. Joshua will need to mix it up. He has been using

different training methods, even trying smaller mitts in sparring to harden his hands and feel that extra power. He’ll need all the edge he can for this one. STRENGTHS

POVETKIN has power, especially in his left hook, has experience and that extra bit of wisdom, plus great determination. If he goes down, it’s not the end. For Joshua, like any champion, the fear of losing is a great asset to keep you focused. He’s got power, a strong jab and he’s showing an ability to think outside the box in fight situations. Tellingly, he has youth on his side.

WEAKNESSES

POVETKIN isn’t the biggest so his reach limits his options. He has tested positive for drugs twice in the past but he’s only got his natural ability to rely on now and, at 39, he’s 10 years older. Joshua has a tendency to stay in his orthodox stance and he needs to switch that up.

FIGHT PLAN

EXPECT Povetkin to rush Joshua from the start and try to burn him out. He’ll look to tempt Joshua in, pretend to go for the body and try a sneaky right over the top or under his guard. Joshua needs to

use his reach and feint punch. That’s where he throws a shot and stops a fraction short before changing direction. It will unsettle Povetkin and keep him guessing. It’s a game of chess but with violence. VERDICT

POVETKIN’S rush tactics could see an explosive start but if he doesn’t succeed in the early rounds I can see Joshua winning with a late stoppage. It will be difficult, though, against a world-class opponent. Johnny Nelson was talking to Simon Jones