WBA mandatory heavyweight challenger Alexander Povetkin is making it clear that he intends to pursue his shot at British superstar Anthony Joshua. This is a good fight, but not good for those hoping to see Joshua versus American titleholder Deontay Wilder next. The IBF has also ordered a pair of number one contender fights, one of which will also produce a mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua.
- Coming off a slightly shakier than expected but still dynamic knockout of David Price last weekend on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s decision win over Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin (34-1, 24 KOs) is reportedly looking to push the issue with the WBA in terms of his mandatory status as a title challenger to Anthony Joshua (21-0, 20 KOs). Andriy Ryabinskiy, Povetkin’s promoter, has stated the following: ”Before the fight with [Povetkin], Joshua has no right to fight with anybody else. We have 30 days to negotiate.” Given that he is now 38, the longtime Russian contender is logically trying to make as much money as possible. He is also a good fighter and this would be a compelling matchup in my view, albeit only if Povetkin and his checkered drug test history can test clean in its build up.
- Also in the heavyweight division, the IBF has ordered Dillian Whyte (23-1, 17 KOs) and Kubrat Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) to meet for the right to become their mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua. Whyte has famously already met Joshua, losing by stoppage after giving the then rising star the stiffest test of his career early. Pulev was supposed to meet Joshua himself in October, but he pulled out with an injury and will now have to fight again to regain that right. There is currently some quality movement happening in a heavyweight division where that hadn’t necessarily been happening in recent years. I hope this fight comes through. It might not, however, as it is no secret that Matchroom head Eddie Hearn would like to see Whyte meet Deontay Wilder for a shot at his WBC title instead. Neither is a bad option thankfully.
- Finally, the IBF has also ordered an interim featherweight title fight between Tevin Farmer (25-5-1, 5 KOs) and Billy Dib (43-4, 24 KOs). This is a mismatch that Farmer should cruise comfortably in. Most believe the Philly fighter should already have the full title, however, as the consensus is that he was robbed in December against Kenichi Ogawa. To make matters worse, Ogawa went on to fail a drug test for that title fight as a result of synthetic testosterone in his system. While the IBF and Ogawa sort out that mess in arbitration, the winner of Farmer and Dib will get an interim title. I suspect Ogawa will be stripped and the winner (read: Farmer) will simply be promoted to full titleholder, but that is not confirmed.
