Alexander Povetkin's management have said they won't step aside for AJ.

Yeah, it seems that Povetkin sees Joshua as the easier fight Well it's a much more lucrative fight for him, that's for sure.

Yeah, it seems that Povetkin sees Joshua as the easier fight

I told you eejits the facts over two months ago. But did anybody listen? Nope.

Yea but if Wilder is fighting Dominic Breazeale in July it puts AJ in an awkward position. Today is April 18th. July is basically 12 weeks away, depending on the date you'd pick. Breazeale isn't confirmed for the fight, and it won't become an option unless the Joshua talks fall apart (of which Eddie Hearn has said they basically have two weeks to finalize a deal).

Unification trumps the mandatory, and that's already been made clear by the WBC, WBA, and IBF. Povetkin can huff and puff all he wants Yea but if Wilder is fighting Dominic Breazeale in July it puts AJ in an awkward position.

But either way, he's going to have to face one of them next. I think Povetkin would definitely fight him now and i think that fight happens next, he can't force Wilder to get in the ring with him.

Saw a video just now, in it hearn was like it doesn't matter what any mandatory wants. If they agree on a deal then the Joshua/Wilder fight happens.

He has to fight Povetkin or Wilder next Yup, caught between a rock and hard place. At this point, Povetkin is an easier fight of the two as he may be showing signs of decline (related possibly to PED use). But he's still a dangerous opponent. If he lands that left hook, which he hasn't had difficulties missing combined with AJ's poor defense, AJ is going down. To neutralize Povetkin, he may have to employ the Wlad method of leaning on him and jabbing. But either way, he's going to have to face one of them next.

With wilder wanting so much, he probably earns more against povetkin in russia

People seem to be ignoring this. These people, with more money than Matchroom, have said they won't step aside and they want the fight in Russia. Eddie Hearn has said both he and AJ don't want the fight in Russia. Talked about Povetkin possibly being the NYC fight. If Povetkin's people take it to purse bids then the World title is going to be splintered before we get the AJ vs. Deontay Wilder fight. Interesting thing is AJ could satisfy the mandatory for both the WBA and the WBO by fighting Povetkin, so it makes sense. The IBF doesn't currently have a mandatory. Unification trumps the mandatory, and that's already been made clear by the WBC, WBA, and IBF. Povetkin can huff and puff all he wants

Povetkin is a top 5 HW so I have no problem with him getting a shot, I’d much rather see AJ-Wilder first though... Yep, but that is to much like right...

I can't complain get him out the way and hopefully Wilder is next Povetkin is a top 5 HW so I have no problem with him getting a shot, I’d much rather see AJ-Wilder first though...

AJ bout to leave beltless with whoever he faces between PEDvetkin and Bronze Bomber! Hearn tryna slither his way outta this is gonna be interesting! On one hand you got a 6'7 awkward wrecking ball with speed of a Light heavyweight and thunderous fight ending power at any second and stamina to boot as well as punches coming from angles you can't prepare for! And on the other hand, you gotta cheating Soviet union Stalin style Commie with massive backing of deep pockets from the cold war who can beat you in purse bids to have it staged in Mother Russia where the Commie will be juiced to the max amongst other things! LOL, Edward better live up to his nickname of "Fast Eddie"

They would have too bid atleast 30-35mil which AJ gets 75 percent of the purse The Wlad bid was 23 million on 75-25 Split The Wilder bid was 7.15 million and 70-30 Split Side note that was Wilders highest purse lol and Wlads I believe AJ plays his cards right that’s a Career high pay day for him. Agreed. I highly doubt they want to go out to Russia though. I think Ryabinsky will have no problem bidding 30m+ if it goes to purse bids, I imagine Sky/Hearn will try their absolute hardest to secure a deal for the fight to take place in the UK to avoid a bidding war with Ryabinsky

Which is why he’ll fight Povetkin next... 4/1 I got off skybet for Povetkin to be next💷💷💷💷💷💷💷 I can't complain get him out the way and hopefully Wilder is next

If Povetkin take his blood pressure pills he have a fighting chance

He has to fight Povetkin or Wilder next Which is why he’ll fight Povetkin next... 4/1 I got off skybet for Povetkin to be next💷💷💷💷💷💷💷

Will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I imagine they'll do just about anything to avoid Povetkin in Russia. They'd probably even make wilder an honest offer before they'd fight Pov in Russia. And, rightfully so. I thought Deontay was mad for being willing to go over there after the state sponsored doping scandal. Yeah this. The harder Povetkin pushes back against stepping aside, the more realistic an offer Hearn is going to make Wilder. Financially, it's just not worth the risk to fight Povetkin anywhere, let alone Russia, and just hope he doesn't fuck up the Wilder and Fury megafights. They'll go ahead and do the Wilder fight first, 100%.

Will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I imagine they'll do just about anything to avoid Povetkin in Russia. They'd probably even make wilder an honest offer before they'd fight Pov in Russia. And, rightfully so. I thought Deontay was mad for being willing to go over there after the state sponsored doping scandal. I honestly thought it'd be Joshua-Wilder next once they announced the mandatory. Why risk having a massive unification get derailed by Povetkin?

Will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I imagine they'll do just about anything to avoid Povetkin in Russia. They'd probably even make wilder an honest offer before they'd fight Pov in Russia. And, rightfully so. I thought Deontay was mad for being willing to go over there after the state sponsored doping scandal.