Joshua to fight Povetkin as WBA loses patience over Wilder negotiations

Anthony Joshua’s next fight will be against Russian Alexander Povetkin, promoter Eddie Hearn has said. Joshua was yesterday morning given a 24-hour deadline to sign to fight Povetkin or face being stripped of a portion of his world heavyweight title.

Hearn has been negotiating for a unification bout with WBC titlist Deontay Wilder, but the WBA has lost patience and wants him to face its own mandatory challenger.

An irkedhearn told Sky Sports News yesterday: “We can’t do a lot more than we’re doing. I think Anthony’s frustrated that he feels people feel that he might not want the fight (with Wilder). He wants that fight more than anything. We sent the contract (to Wilder’s team)nearly nine days ago now. They know we’re under pressure from the WBA and it all feels like a big game.”