News

Matchroom Announces Alexander Povetkin-David Price For March 31

Written by Marc Gatford on 2nd February 2018.

Promoter Eddie Hearn is set to give Liverpool heavyweight David Price a chance to become Anthony Joshua’s mandatory challenger.

The man standing in Price’s way is the former heavyweight champion, Alexander Povetkin. The surprise match-up will feature on the undercard of Joshua-Parker on March 31.

“We have approval from the British Boxing Board of Control [and] from the WBA as well. We are hopeful that fight will be announced this week. It’s a really interesting fight in the heavyweight mix,” Hearn told earlier this week to Sky Sports.

Price was once tipped for the top but suffered four knockouts in five years. The 34-year-old now looks to be in position for one last opportunity to fulfill his early promise.

https://twitter.com/DavidPrice_1/status/959382593954353154

“Of course you make Povetkin a big favourite, but David Price can really punch, and if he can knock out Alexander Povetkin, he catapults himself to No 1 in the WBA world rankings. It would be quite a story,” said Hearn.

Povetkin maneuvered into the mandatory position for Joshua’s WBA ‘Super’ strap by defeating Christian Hammer last December. Hammer stopped an exhausted Price by TKO earlier that year.

The Russian will also take confidence from Price’s shaky points win last time out. The Olympic bronze medallist was gun-shy and again seemed fatigued after six slow rounds against basic journeyman, Kamil Sokolowski.

David Price is a risk worth taking for the Russian. Knocking out the Liverpudlian in front of 70,000 in Cardiff would make the Joshua fight bigger. But watching the likable scouser mix it with another fighter found guilty of doping – an unsavoury theme that wrecked his confidence and arguably his career – will be difficult viewing.

READ MORE:

David Price: Joshua unbeatable right now

Exclusive: David Price talks about Tyson Fury clash

Anthony Joshua: it will take more than a human to stop me