Boxing

I WILL CLEAN UP

Anthony Joshua takes swipe at drugs cheats ahead of Alexander Povetkin showdown

Brit will put his WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight title belts on the line against the Russian, who has twice fallen foul of anti-doping rules

Stuart Atkins

Published: 22:30, 20 Sep 2018
Updated: 15:08, 21 Sep 2018

ANTHONY JOSHUA took a swipe at drugs cheat Alexander Povetkin — and insisted it is his job to prove a clean boxer is a better fighter.

Joshua admits he is “under tons of pressure” as he puts his WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight title belts on the line against the Russian at Wembley on Saturday night.

Anthony Joshua is putting his belts on the line against drugs cheat Alexander Povetkin — Anthony Joshua is putting his belts on the line against drugs cheat Alexander PovetkinCredit: Richard Pelham - The Sun

Povetkin has twice failed drug tests that led to suspensions and fines but is now the mandatory challenger to Joshua’s titles.

But Joshua said: “My job is to show the non-drug cheat is a stronger, better fighter — and that’s why I have to fight.”

AJ also admitted he is not completely happy about Povetkin being named as his mandatory challenger but will have to “deal with that”.

He told Fight Hub TV: “If you’re on drugs you get banned, simple as that. I do believe in a fair fight.

“It damages my opponent’s health if that was me cheating. So drug cheats should be more severely dealt with.”

Most read in boxing

Frank Warren starts legal proceedings against Eubank Jr after shocking outburst

Frank Warren starts legal proceedings against Eubank Jr after shocking outburst

Itauma is living his own Rocky story... he will be household name this year

Itauma is living his own Rocky story... he will be household name this year

All the information you need ahead of huge cruiserweight title fight

Opetaia vs Nyika

All the information you need ahead of huge cruiserweight title fight

Jake Paul's 10-man hit-list for 2025 including world champ & Tommy Fury

JAKE EXPECTATIONS

Jake Paul's 10-man hit-list for 2025 including world champ & Tommy Fury

Anthony Joshua claims he wants to prove clean fighters are superior — Anthony Joshua claims he wants to prove clean fighters are superiorCredit: Richard Pelham - The Sun

AJ should be comfortable fighting in front of a packed Wembley crowd — AJ should be comfortable fighting in front of a packed Wembley crowdCredit: AFP or licensors

Anthony Joshua says the boxing world will call him s*** if he loses to Alexander Povetkin

When asked if he believes Povetkin deserves the fight, Joshua replied: “Yeah, he’s the mandatory challenger, for whatever reason, so that’s the guy I have to fight, ain’t it?”

Earlier, at the pre-fight press conference, Joshua confessed: “There’s loads of pressure, tons of pressure. That’s the reality.

“Even though we present ourselves as calm, cool and collected, we know what we’re in for.

“You’ve just got to roll with the punches. What more can I do than give my best? You find a way to win and grind it out.

Anthony Joshua says he expects a tough title defence against Russian challenger Alexander Povetkin

“My body has been broken down and built up again in this camp like never before.

“I just love to fight. I love fight week — I can finally taper down a bit, get my strength back.”

AJ will be boxing at Wembley for the first time since his epic knockout victory over Wladimir Klitschko last April.

Things were very cordial in the build-up to the showdown — Things were very cordial in the build-up to the showdownCredit: Richard Pelham - The Sun

But he reckons he feels used to competing in major stadiums after two subsequent successes at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, against Carlos Takam and Joseph Parker.

The 28-year-old said: “This doesn’t feel new to me any more. Wembley feels like home now.

“Coming back here is a blessing. It’s time to just put on a performance.”

Topics

Anthony Joshua