Anthony Joshua has been ordered to negotiate a mandatory title defence of his WBA world heavyweight title against Russia’s 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Alexander Povetkin.
The Briton’s promoter, Matchroom mogul Eddie Hearn claims the WBA reached out to inform their camp that they have 30 days to negotiate a deal with Povetkin.
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He told Sky Sports: “The WBA called the mandatory yesterday for AJ to face Povetkin next.”
“We have a 30-day window to negotiate – at this stage it means it’s very likely Anthony’s next fight will be between Wilder or Povetkin.”
Povetkin’s team confirmed the news that the Russian is now the mandatory contender via social media.
“It would, depending on the timing, fill up the new [81,000 seaters] Luzhniki Stadium – a football stadium,” he said.
“That’s a location with enough magnitude for this type of fight.”
The news throws a spanner in the works of a potential deal between Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua in a mega-unification deal.
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Wilder’s team had made it apparent that they would accept the shorter end of the purse in an effort to strike an agreement with Joshua.
Wilder’s representative Shelley Finkel told Sky Sports: “The deal was 50-50 [between Joshua and Wladimir] Klitschko. Additionally, Finkel suggested that “The [Wilder] fight should be bigger than Klitschko.”
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— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) April 5, 2018
“We already said we would accept less than Klitschko. The fight with Parker was 33 [per cent to Parker].”
“This is way bigger and Deontay is way bigger than Parker. We said we would take 40.”
“Hopefully [Friday], we’ll have an offer from them, because that’s what he’s said he’s doing.”
Hearn added: “Anthony wants the fight and I’m very confident it will happen.”
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