Povetkin's Promoter: Price is Perfect To Get Ready For Joshua

By Luke Furman

Andrei Ryabinsky, promoter for Russia's Alexander Povetkin (33-1, 23 KOs), believes his boxer's upcoming contest is a perfect fight to prepare for a future world title shot.

Povetkin will be matched against Olympic bronze medal winner David Price, who is very tall and packs a big punch - but also has stamina issues and doesn't take a big punch very well.

The fight with Price was finalized last week for the undercard to the WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO heavyweight unification between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker, which takes place on March 31 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

The reason that contest was placed on the card, is because Povetkin is the WBA's mandatory challenger to Joshua's title.

Their respective promoters have already discussed the idea of matching their boxers in the summer.

Ryabinsky agrees that Povetkin has fought in Russia for far too long, and it's time he started fighting overseas.

Povetkin's last nine fights took place in Russia.

Prior to that, when he was a rising star in the division, Povetkin built the bulk of his career in Germany when he was promoted by Sauerland Event.

After losing to Wladimir Klitschko in 2013, Povetkin has won seven straight - with five knockouts in a row and then his last two wins by way of decision.

Ryabinksy explains that Price, being a big opponent, and the fact the contest is taking place with over 70,000 Brits in a stadium, is perfect for his boxer to prepare for the overall experience of facing Joshua. And it also gives his boxer pre-fight exposure to the British market.

"Alexander thinks it's easier for him to box abroad, and for us it's a good situation since we've been boxing too much at home. The fight with Price is a great preparation (for Joshua). Price is a huge guy, but not [muscular] like Joshua, and we just need a huge guy who will be a simulator, in a good way, and then go out to face Joshua. We need people in Britain to see Povetkin," said Ryabinsky to Vasily Konov.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.