Boxing news: Deontay Wilder wants Alexander Povetkin to KNOCK OUT Anthony Joshua
DEONTAY WILDER wants Alexander Povetkin to knock Anthony Joshua out when the pair meet later this year.
Negotiations between Wilder and Joshua ended last week after the WBA sent AJ an ultimatum demanding he honour his obligation to fight mandatory challenger Povetkin following months of delays.
The WBA had allowed Joshua and his team more time to try and agree a unification fight against WBC champion Wilder but with little progress being made since the 28-year-old Brit beat Joseph Parker in March, the governing body appeared to finally run out of patience.
AJ, the reigning IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight king, is now expected to defend his straps against the 39-year-old Russian at Wembley Stadium in September.
Speaking to Brendan Schaub on the Below The Belt show this week, Wilder revealed his frustration at the fight failing to materialise, throwing his support behind Povetkin for the Autumn showdown.
“I hope Povetkin knocks him out. I really do, I’m done with it,” he said.
“I did [want to be the guy to do it]. I had the opportunity.
“But he doesn’t want to be the guy to prove himself against me.”
Povetkin will prove anything but a pushover for 21-0 Joshua, who went 12 rounds for the first time in his professional career during an impressively-technical victory over Parker in March.
But the 2012 Olympic gold medallist is expected to come up trumps, setting up a possible April 2019 fight against Wilder that might prove even more financially rewarding than it would have this year.
However, Wilder suggested that if Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, intended to use the current back-and-forth as promotion ahead of next year’s fight, he would demand further improved terms before agreeing a deal.
“If it comes about that way, it’s gonna be 50/50,” he said.
“I’m not accepting any flat-fees, none of that. We’re done with that.
“I can smile and say we are done with that.”