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Anthony Joshua ordered to fight Alexander Povetkin, putting unification showdown with Deontay Wilder on hold

The Briton holds the WBA 'super' belt and is one away from holding the big four - with only Wilder's WBC title keeping him from completely unifying the heavyweight division

Friday 06 April 2018 12:43 BST

Anthony Joshua is missing just one heavyweight world title... (Getty)

Anthony Joshua has been ordered to fight Alexander Povetkin by the WBA, it has been confirmed.

The Briton holds the WBA 'super' belt and is one away from holding the big four - with only Deontay Wilder's WBC title keeping him from completely unifying the heavyweight division.

However, it appears as though Joshua may be kept waiting to complete his 'road to undisputed', with Povetkin in line to face him next and negotiations for a fight between the two must be completed within a 30-day window.

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Show all 13

1/13Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 1

Cagey. Very cagey. Joshua probably just edged that one. He held the centre of the ring very well but there was not too much to note about that round really. Concentration all over Joshua's face.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JDM: Joshua 10-9 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 2

Another really close round. Both men went for a few more shots. Joshua got a couple through the gate and Parker was going for a few body shots. Still very cagey.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JDM: Joshua 10-9 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 3

The crowd has quietened slightly this round as they look to be given something to cheer about. Joshua twice obliges with shots at Parker up against the ropes. There is an accidental head clash that throws the Briton slightly towards the end of the round that the referee warns both about but Joshua is still on top. Just.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JDM: Joshua 10-9 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 4

A big left jab from Joshua looked like it hurt Parker briefly there as Joshua holds the centre of the ring and pushed his rival into the ropes. Joshua catches him again with another left hook and a third to finish the round. He's eased into this one but looks comfortable. There is swelling around Parker's left eye now too.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JDM: Joshua 10-9 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 5

Parker is been hurt by yet another left at the start of this round. He's trying to lure Joshua in and attack but he finally finds success with it. A flurry of punches hurries Joshua into the corner and another shot is landed.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 9-10 Parker
JDM: Joshua 9-10 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 6

Both men go at it here and swing wildly! They take shots and both land them. The referee breaks it up and the crowd come alive! Parker lands a couple more and he looks dangerous. Joshua needs to stem this momentum from the Kiwi.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 9-10 Parker
JDM: Joshua 9-10 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 7

A left jab catches Joshua and Parker is a tad stunned. The two lock up and Parker snatches a few body shots which Joshua takes exception to and aims a wild uppercut his way after the referee calls the break. Parker gives AJ a wry smile as the bell rings.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JDM: Joshua 10-9 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 8

Parker continues to go in low and the referee doesn't like it, but Parker won't like what's coming next as Joshua lands a big left and wraps the Kiwi up against the ropes as he ducks into him. He can't quiet capitalise but he is back on top as the bell brings the round to an end.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JDM: Joshua 10-9 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 9

Joshua predicted Parker would tire in the ninth or 10th and he could be right. He lands a few shots before complaining about Parker's head use. There is a brief pause as Joshua gets his gloves re-taped after it comes loose and Parker gets a bit lively after, but the bell calls an end to the round just as it starts to spice up.
LB: Joshua 9-10 Parker
JA: Joshua 9-10 Parker
JDM: Joshua 9-10 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 10

Parker's been cut above his left eye and Joshua, like a shark, goes straight to work on it. The crowd sense it too but Parker sees it off for now. Joshua has him up against the ropes and swings with a wild left that would have surely ended it there and then. Parker survives.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JDM: Joshua 10-9 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 11

Only a knockout will do for Parker so expect him to really go for it. But he doesn't really and Joshua keeps him at distance. Parker keeps coming but the two get wrapped up and Joshua lands an uppercut and another jab. A left seems to wobble Parker but a body shot by the Kiwi immediately hurts AJ. A good finish to the round.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JDM: Joshua 10-9 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

Round 12

Only a knockout will do for Parker. Joshua just needs to survive, keep his distance. A body shot from Joshua wakes up the crowd and another jab draws more cheers but there is nothing more to capitalise on. That’s it, some boos from the crowd as Joshua is taken the distance for the first time in his career.
LB: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JA: Joshua 10-9 Parker
JDM: Joshua 10-9 Parker

Reuters

Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker round-by-round

It’s a convincing victory for Joshua from all three of our judges, with Luke Brown only giving Parker one round and both Jack Austin and Jack de Menezes handing the New Zealand three. It wasn’t Joshua’s most entertaining fight of his career, or his most dominant, but as wins go that one was pretty regulatory.
LB: Joshua 119-109
JA: 117-111
JDM: 117-111

Reuters

Speaking about the 28-year-old's next likely fight, promoter Eddie Hearn revealed to Sky Sports that Joshua's next fight will indeed be one of Povetkin or Wilder.

"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."

 Alexander Povetkin beat David Price last week  (Reuters)

Povetkin's promoters, World of Boxing, took to Twitter to post a statement about their mandatory position.

"Povetkin is now a mandatory contender of Anthony Joshua. He was appointed by WBA.

"Now there are 150 days to arrange the fight, it must take place. Before the fight with Sasha, Joshua has no right to fight with anybody else. We have 30 days to negotiate."

Povetkin was on the undercard of Joshua's fight against then WBO champion Joseph Parker, where he defeated David Price with a devastating fifth-round knockout despite being shaken earlier in the fight by the 6 ft 8 Englishman.

Should a fight be agreed between Joshua and Povetkin next, it could see Wilder look elsewhere for an opponent, with Brixton contender Dillian Whyte hopeful of a showdown between the pair.

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