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Anthony Joshua weighs in TWO STONE heavier than Alexander Povetkin ahead of world title showdown at Wembley
The scales tipped in favour of the champion with Joshua enjoying a significant weight advantage over his Russian challenger weighing-in at 17st 8lbs while Povetkin came in at 15st 12lbs.
A pretty substantial advantage , then AJ? ‘Well,’ said the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO title holder, ‘He will come at me quick fire.
Anthony Joshua weighed-in two stone heavier than Alexander Povetkin on Friday afternoon
The scales tipped in favour of the world champion with Joshua weighing 17st 8lbs
‘He’s going to be quick and fast so I better put on my dancing shoes and be sharp with my feet.
‘I feel good though, I’m going to do some training after this just to keep myself ticking over and get rid of any cobwebs. We are nearly there now.’
They could hardly have found a more suitably named venue for a weigh-in, given boxing’s transition into high commerce.
His Russian challenger came in seven pounds lighter than his last fight weighing 15st 8lbs
The pair took one last look into each other’s eyes before their Wembley Stadium showdown
Joshua and Povetkin took to the scales in a cavernous exhibition space in north London now known as the Business Design Centre.
Fittingly both will be banking plenty after their bruising Saturday night out.
Joshua is reported to be on a minimum purse of £15million, Povetkin at least £6m. With more expected to come from a surge in Sky Sports pay per view sales.
There was also a rush of late wagering, with Betway reporting a surprising 90 per cent of the money flooding on Povetkin — at 15-1.
Hundreds of office workers in the bustling area of the Angel spent their Friday lunch hour crowding in to watch Joshua and his challenger make their last public appearances before battle.
Joshua admitted after he will have to ‘put on his dancing shoes’ but is confident of winning
This place used to be called the Royal Agricultural Halls, where they held cattle shows.
Once again, they were weighing some priceless beef.
Povetkin, who weighed-in lighter than anticipated – seven pounds than his last fight to be exact – has been widely tipped to provide Joshua with his sternest test since he beat Wladimir Klitschko under the same arches he will operate under on Saturday.