Eddie Hearn has admitted he is ‘worried’ ahead of Anthony Joshua’s upcoming heavyweight title fight against Alexander Povetkin – branding it ‘the toughest test of his career’.
talkSPORT will be LIVE from Wembley Stadium on Saturday to bring you full coverage of Joshua v Povetkin, with the Brit’s WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts on the line.
Joshua’s promoter and Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn joined the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast studio for an extended and in-depth chat on Tuesday ahead of the heavyweight showdown.
And, as well as reveal is on-point impressions of Chris Eubank Snr and Kell Brook, he said the 39-year-old Russian presents the biggest threat to the British star’s unbeaten record yet.
“I’m quite worried about this fight,” said Hearn on Tuesday.
“Everybody is looking into the future and a potential Wilder fight next year but, on paper, outside of Klitschko and even close to Klitschko, this is the toughest fight of AJ’s career.
“Povetkin is very well schooled; he’s a former Olympic gold medallist himself and has just one defeat on his record – to Wladimir Klitschko.
“He can punch, he’s got a great chin and he’s got a great engine.
“He’s technically very sound, he’s an accurate puncher and he has way more experience than Anthony Joshua.
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“So this is a great fight for Anthony because it’s the kind of fight that could him in great stead for his career going forward, but it’s so, so risky at this stage.
“We have to remember this is Anthony’s 22nd fight!
“I’ve heard some people, including some ex-heavyweights, criticise him a little bit, but when you look at who he has boxed in 22 fights – Povetkin, Dillian Whyte, Dominic Breazeale, Wladimir Klitschko, Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker – he’s moving at a rate these other guys didn’t.
“These guys weren’t even in any competitive fights after 20 or 21 fights, so that’s the real danger for Anthony and I think one of the draws for Anthony Joshua is that there are vulnerabilities because he’s not the finished article yet.
“But he will definitely not underestimate Povetkin.”