Alexander Povetkin cemented his position as mandatory challenger to the winner of the Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker world heavyweight title unification bout.
It was an enthralling heavyweight slug fest with both men looking to land the heavy artillery but Liverpool’s David Price ended up unstuck against a technically superior adversary who recorded a highlight reel knockout to end the night in the third round.
Price tried to establish his superior size early and take the centre of the ring from the opening bell.
Povetkin was looking the sharper operator however and was scoring with combinations both to the body and head.
Price remained cautious and tentative to let anything other than a jab go, but he ended the round with thudding right hand that seemed to momentarily wobble the Russian at the bell.
Povetkin continued to find sustained success going to the Liverpudlian’s body and seemed to neutralise Price’s ability to land his right hand with his blocking ability.
Alexander Povetkin with a massive knockout, but Price gave a great showing there. 👏
Follow it live here: https://t.co/bUjT8e81Dp
Book #JoshuavParker here: https://t.co/JyPqkbeVCcpic.twitter.com/C7PDDbtKFM— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) March 31, 2018
A massive left hook put Price flat on his back in the third round as the Russian showed his ability to work the angles and find holes in Price’s defence.
Povetkin drew blood from Price in an enthralling third round but again Price ended the round very strongly again as a left hook had Povetkin reeling across the ring and going flying into the neutral corner ring-post as the round came to an end.
Both fighters came out for the fourth stanza of the fight both perhaps on shaky legs after taking big punches in the third, a tentative fourth followed with both men intent on not tasting the power they both felt in the previous round.
Gutting for Pricey. It’s a savage fifth round KO win for Povetkin, who moves a step closer to a World Title shot. He’ll have a keen eye on tonight’s main event #PovetkinPrice#JoshuaParkerpic.twitter.com/t3c5wpXwjS
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) March 31, 2018
David Price had put up a gallant effort against one of the heavyweight division’s standout operators. But the gruelling encounter came to a brutal end when the Russian set up a killer combination blow.
The fight’s end came at 1:02 of round 5, Povetkin ripped a short left hook to Price’s body which brought the guard down.
Povetkin landed an overhand right to the the top of the forehead that left Price out on his feet and incoherent and ripe for the picking before a single flush left hook put Price out for the night.
https://twitter.com/FightPickz/status/980189840762425346
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