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Eddie Hearn: Povetkin – Hammer winner could be WBA mandatory for Joshua

Written by Keeran Rajan on 5th December 2017.

The managing director at Matchroom, Eddie Hearn has revealed that the winner of the Christian Hammer – Alexander Povetkin bout on December 15th in Russia could be in line to become the mandatory challenger for the WBA.

The fight has already been sanctioned for a mandatory challenger position for the WBO. The reigning WBO world heavyweight champion is New Zealand’s Joseph Parker.

The previous mandatory challenger was Cuba’s Luis Ortiz, but he failed a drug test and had a year’s long ban imposed on his career.

It should be noted, that the WBC lifted their ban on Luis Ortiz. They deemed the failed test was simply due to blood pressure medication.

“I’m due to speak to [WBA president] Gilberto Mendoza, who may come to the UK in December,” Hearn shared with Sky Sports. ”

The mandatory challenger had been Luis Ortiz previously.

However, the man who is referred to as ‘King Kong’ has been banned. Now the WBA will have to decide fairly soon who that challenger will be.

Manuel Charr, last month, claimed the WBA (regular) world heavyweight championship. Triumphing over 12 rounds against Alexander Ustinov.

Hearn has claimed, however, that it is unlikely Manuel Charr will be considered for the mandatory challenger position for Joshua’s WBA (Super) title.

“Manuel Charr has won the ‘regular’ title but they are not looking at him as a mandatory challenger.

“Alexander Povetkin is fighting Christian Hammer which could be the final eliminator to be Joshua’s mandatory,” Hearn added.

Povetkin is the major favourite going into that fight, given his pedigree as a former titleholder and an Olympic gold medalist at the 2004 games in Athens.

On the subject of Povetkin, Hearn shared he has acknowledged that a fight with Povetkin now seems to be on the horizon. “We have spoken about Joshua vs Povetkin and the likelihood of that.”

“We have a really good relationship with World of Boxing, who are his promoters.”

“They have a situation where they can fight a final eliminator to be the mandatory for Joshua. Or for the WBO, so they are making that decision now,” Hearn concluded.

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