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

[Ray*]

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.

[W1LL]

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.

[Scipio2009]

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).

[W1LL]

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

[Just looking]

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

[pillowfists98]

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.

[Elroy The Great]

dumb business decision. always best to get paid 2x for one fight.