Hearn: Joshua is fighting Povetkin, Putin and the whole of Russia
Promoter says President Putin is fully behind the Russian fighter’s bid to win the heavyweight titles

Anthony Joshua vs. Alexander Povetkin
- What: heavyweight boxing title fight
- Where: Wembley Stadium, London
- When: Saturday 22 September
- TV channel: live on Sky Sports Box Office
Anthony Joshua won’t just be facing Alexander Povetkin at Wembley on Saturday night he will be up against a fighter who has Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin and a whole nation in his corner.
British-Russian political relations are currently “at their most tense since the Cold War”, says the Daily Mirror, and promoter Eddie Hearn believes President Putin will be willing Povetkin on to “score a big propaganda victory for his country”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Joshua puts his WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles on the line against Povetkin and Hearn said of the Russian: “He’s got not just his team, but the country, and dare I say the government, behind him.
“They’re all involved. This is like a mission for them to beat Britain and for a Russian to become the world heavyweight champion.
“He and his team know how important this is for them and for Povetkin nationally. This is not just about him personally winning a title, this is a major, major thing if Povetkin could stick one on a Brit. Wouldn’t it be really sweet for them?”
Povetkin’s manager Vadim Kornilov confirmed that the president will be supporting the Russian’s bid to win the heavyweight contest.
Quoted by The Daily Telegraph, Kornilov said: “The president [Vladimir Putin] has not yet been to his fights but he is definitely a big sports fan. He is also a fan of Alexander and he helps with many things.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Musk's latest Grok AI controversy and what it reveals about chatbots
In the Spotlight The spread of misinformation serves as a reminder of how imperfect chatbots really are
-
Get a taste of a place at these regional US restaurant chains
The Week Recommends Eat where the locals do
-
Bombing of fertility clinic blamed on 'antinatalist'
speed read A car bombing injured four people and damaged a fertility clinic and nearby buildings in Palm Springs, California
-
Is it time for Anthony Joshua to retire?
After his latest brutal defeat, British boxing's 'poster boy' has a difficult choice to make
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau