World Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua has described Alexander Povetkin as a tough challenger after knocking him out in the seventh round of their unification bout at the Wembley Stadium tonight.
Joshua, knocked out Povetkin with a deadly left and right hook combination after overcoming some wobbly starts in the early rounds to retain his titles.
‘Povetkin is very tough challenger and he proved that tonight but I came in here to have fun, do what I’ve been working on in the gym and I did that. I knew he was weak to the head, it could have took seven, nine maybe 10 but all my goal tonight was to be successful.
‘These shorter guys are very good coming through the middle but let’s see what happens now on April 13. Let’s ask the question, there are no mandatory challengers, providing that, who do we want to fight here on April 13? There are always some complications with negotiations but the sport is about what the fans want.
‘It’s you guys who make this sport. On Wilder, I’m not in the blame game, we both did a lot of talking, I’m here now, I found my right hand and I’m lining up for April 13.
‘There is a lot of pressure, I’m not going to lie to you guys. The whole country is rooting for not just me but David
Price, Lawrence Okolie, Matty Askin, Luke Campbell, all of us. A few years ago maybe I wouldn’t have won that fight but that’s credit to all my coaching team.
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‘It’s about developing and I am in this game to win it and to learn. April 13 is what I am interested in.
‘I’m not too fussed who wins. Good luck to both of them and may the champion bring themselves to the UK and we will have a good dust up.
Povetkin showed early signs of danger by making Joshua stumble in the first round with a wicked left hook before blood poured out of the nose of the champion.
Joshua started to dictate the pace as the rounds went on before going on to overpower and knock Povetkin down to the canvas twice in the seventh round. He said: ‘First and foremost, everyone here in Wembley, thank you so much! Before we forget #TeamPovetkin.