Povetkin will have the main fight in his career at Wembley. It's Official – Boxing News

The main heavyweight of Russia's Alexander Povetkin, almost five years after the defeat of Vladimir Klichko again had the chance to go immediately to the battle for the three championship belts. Russian admirers of professional boxing and what the experts have been talking about for nearly two months, it has been officially confirmed that the next Povetkin bout will hold against the world champion by the WBA, IBF and British WBO Anthony Joshua versions. And the Russian Vityaz will fight on another field – the duel is scheduled for September 22 and will pbad in the legendary stadium "Wembley" in London. Three weeks before the battle, Povetkin will celebrate his 39th birthday

Of course, Joshua, who is a decade younger than a Russian, is now the most dangerous rival of the planet in the "royal". division. The 28-year-old Briton, having won the Olympics home, has moved to the pro, and since then, he has not lost. I saw Joshua's London triumph on the stands, and even then he seemed incredibly talented and upbeat, even though he was wet for big wins. But he did not force events, he chose the right development line, and now Anthony is six years older, much more experience and mastery than before.

In March, the British beat New Zealand's Joseph Parker three of the four most prestigious versions – WBA, IBF and WBO. The fourth belongs to the American Deonthey Wilder, and most boxing fans, of course, would like to see the "Battle of the Giants" for all possible titles. But even though the negotiations on this fight were conducted, and the WBA even gave Joshua a respite from mandatory defense, the parties did not reach an agreement. And now in the role of the competitor will Povetkin. The champion himself, at first glance, was not too angry.

"I can not wait to get back into the ring," Joshua's Daily Mirror said. "It seems that the end of March is already so far away." Povetkin is a serious challenger, to fight with whom I will carefully prepare. He has a serious record, and only a fool can underestimate the capacity of this boxer. I have not stopped training, but the next 10 weeks will be very difficult physically and mentally. I'll check out the force myself, to be certain that in another glorious night for British boxing I'll go into the ring at the top of the form

The fact that Povetkin is the main contender for the role of rival Joshua was seriously talked about in mid-May. . Then the probable date for the battle was called on September 15th. But in the same weekend the revenge Golovkin – Alvarez should take place, and badign him another duel with the prefix "super" – means, lose money. As a result, the organizers managed to move the meeting for a week. Do not guess, and those who prophesized the place of the Battle of Cardiff – it was there that Joshua defeated Parker in the spring. But as a result, he will not fight against Povetkin at the Millennium, but in another, even bigger stadium – Wembley in London

"Millenium" Povetkin also knows well, and he saw the same Joshua in the case – the Russian knight on the undercard of the same fight with Parker showed himself well, sending a heavy knockout of the once promising British David Price. This fight, of course, has become a plus for Alexander in negotiations with Joshua – the viewers on Foggy Albion know the Russian himself, and what he is capable of.

Of course, no matter the politeness of the British, he is seriously encouraged veteran, though he is at least a thousand times mandatory applicant for different versions. Joshua himself really wants to hold a unification fight for the last belt, which is missing in his collection. And the meeting with Povetkin, he will necessarily be considered a step further on the path of Wilder.

And here, there is a chance for Povetkin. First, him, in comparison with his rival, has almost nothing to lose. All headlines in the opposite corner of the ring, there is an advantage in the age, which means speed and stamina. Favorite at the Knight bookmakers will not be either. But that does not mean that he can not win. As much as he can, Joshua also knows it – but if a number of factors converge

But second, and that's the paradox, this fight for Povetkin means more than for the British. If he loses, it will be a huge blow to his reputation. But Joshua has another decade – enough to revive his career and return to the Hollywood style, overwhelming everyone. Povetkin no longer has a chance to get him champion belts.

At this duel, he left almost five years after the defeat of Vladimir Klichko. Then there were also three titles in play, but Povetkin was not ready to remove them to the Ukrainian. Since then, he has worked hard, and twice was close to the title fights. But because of strange doping cases in 2016, the battles of Povetkin with Wilder and Bermein Stiver stop in a row

And so it seems that the career of the Russian knight be finished. But he endured this difficult period, spent three good fights and again forced Fortuna to turn to his face.

Now it's up to the little still to enter the ring against the world champion and show himself worthily.

ANTON BABOSHIN