---
title: "Eddie Hearn: “Joshua-Povetkin is Much More Competitive Than Joshua-Wilder!”"
canonical: "https://boxing-social.com/news/eddie-hearn-joshua-povetkin-much-competitive-joshua-wilder/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Rob Tebbutt"
section: "News"
published: "2018-06-27T17:08:28Z"
modified: "2018-06-27T17:08:28Z"
---

# Eddie Hearn: “Joshua-Povetkin is Much More Competitive Than Joshua-Wilder!”

Eddie Hearn has claimed that Anthony Joshua’s proposed WBA mandatory defence against Alexander Povetkin is a “much more competitive fight” than a potential match-up against Deontay Wilder.

The bout, in which Povetkin enters as mandatory challenger for Joshua WBA ‘Super’ belt, has been rumoured to be slated for September, with the teams holding a meeting today and a deal expected to be made imminently.

After the WBA issued an ultimatum to Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn yesterday – giving them just 24 hours to make a deal for the bout to take place – it appears that negotiations have moved swiftly between representatives of the two camps.

![](https://media.boxing-social.com/app/uploads/2018/06/POV1-300x200.jpg)

*“I’m happy that everything is working out.”* said Povetkin’s promoter Andrey Ryabinskiy in an interview with *Sky Sports*.

*“It’s been a pleasure going through the negotiations with Eddie and I cannot wait for us to start the preparations for the fight.”*

Vadim Kornilov, Povetkin’s manager, also participated in the meeting, and was hopeful when discussing a potential timeframe for the bout to be completed.

*“We are very close and we plan to finalise the deal very soon.”* he told *Sky Sports.*

*“The WBA has actually been very patient, but now they are pushing us to finalise this mandatory deal.”*

![](https://media.boxing-social.com/app/uploads/2018/06/WILDER-POWER-300x200.jpg)

Kornilov would go on to state that he felt a match-up between Joshua and Povetkin would represent the best fight in the division currently – and *not* the heavily-hyped potential bout between Joshua and WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

*“I think Povetkin and Joshua are two gold medallists, a very competitive, top of the line fight. I think this is the best fight in the heavyweight division today.”* he finished.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn – who has come in for criticism from some sections of the boxing fraternity after being perceived to be stalling the Joshua-Wilder fight – agreed with Kornilov, claiming that Joshua vs Povetkin would be a “much more competitive” fight than a bout against Wilder.

![](https://media.boxing-social.com/app/uploads/2018/06/Screen-Shot-2018-06-27-at-18.07.42-300x171.png)

*“If the Wilder-Joshua fight is going to happen, it’s going to happen. Right now Povetkin-Joshua and that’s what it’s all about.”* said Hearn.

*“The fans should be happy, they should not be disappointed, because to be honest with you, I think the fans are going to get a much more competitive and exciting fight in this one.”*

*“Wilder-Joshua has been a lot of hype, this fight is the real deal.”* Hearn finished.

Kornilov would conclude the interview by reiterating his faith in his fighter, calling the contest a “50-50 fight” before going on to state that the former WBA World heavyweight champion is confident of toppling the unbeaten British superstar.

*“Povetkin wanted the fight really bad, and I believe that in this fight, it’s a 50-50 fight, it could go either way.”* said Kornilov.

*“The motivation and the desire for this fight shows Povetkin’s confidence.”*