Anthony Joshua Thinks Alexander Povetkin May Upset Dillian Whyte

Unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua believes his long-time rival Dillian Whyte could suffer defeat against Alexander Povetkin when the pair clash this Saturday (August 22).

Joshua scored a seventh-round stoppage win over Povetkin in 2018, but struggled in the early rounds against the Russian who appeared to rock ‘AJ’ on a couple of occasions. Joshua was also rocked early when he fought against Whyte for the British title but ultimately recovered well to score a seventh round knockout win.

Whyte will put his WBC mandatory status on the line against Povetkin at Matchroom’s Fight Camp. According to Eddie Hearn, Joshua believes this fight is a needless risk that ‘The Body Snatcher’ should have avoided.

“I spoke to AJ who doesn’t like this fight for Whyte. He thinks that this is a banana skin and that Povetkin could upset the odds,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

“For Whyte, he has waited over 1000 days for this opportunity but Povetkin could steal it from under his nose. I still can’t believe Whyte is taking these risks. When you sit as the mandatory challenger, what you don’t do is fight Joseph Parker, Derek Chisora, Oscar Rivas and Povetkin while you wait.

“What is Whyte doing by fighting Povetkin here? This isn’t The O2. This will be the strangest environment either guy has ever boxed in. Whyte, time and time again, puts it all on the line. He is the people’s champion. Joshua himself will fight before the end of the year and may be forced to compete behind closed doors if crowds continue to be barred from sporting events.”

Joshua himself is expected to make a mandatory defence of one of his heavyweight titles against Kubrat Pulev later this year before finalizing a two-fight deal which will see him attempt to become the undisputed heavyweight king against Tyson Fury in 2021.

Do you agree with Anthony Joshua? Is Alexander Povetkin likely to cause an upset against Dillian Whyte?