Anthony Joshua may have let some folks down, but no one was complaining about the performance of Alexander Povetkin in Cardiff.
The main event in the Principality Stadium wasn’t really the showcase spectacle some fans and pundits were anticipating.
Rather than put Joseph Parker away with relative ease like many expected, Anthony Joshua went the distance for the first time in his career. He even dropped a few rounds decisively, probably one or two more than the judges’ scorecards suggested.
It was an enthralling battle for anyone hoping to see a competitive fight. However, for those folks who wanted to see ‘boxing’s next big thing’ dust a fool, it was very much a disappointment. It’s easy to forget that there were quite a few jeers and boos following the final bell considering how much Joshua’s mic skills whipped everyone up into a frenzy.
He had a shocker https://t.co/8QGK5YcPDT
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 1, 2018
Early bird
Anyone who didn’t just tune in for the main event was thoroughly rewarded for their commitment. The co-main event provided the brutal knockout that some fight fans were crying out for in the headliner.
Alexander Povetkin (34-1, 24 KOs) entered into his bout against David Price (22-5, 18 KOs) as an overwhelming favourite. It wasn’t exactly an easy night’s work for the Russian. Both he and his adversary suffered knockdowns in the third round. However, it was the notoriously chinny Price who got caught with the coup de grace two rounds later.
A vicious right hand stunned Price then a thunderous left hook cut him down like a chainsaw. Price flopped backwards to the canvas and as his head bobbled around, his corner threw in the towel.
https://twitter.com/ZPGIFs/status/980189100333559808
As great as it looked at full speed, wait until you see it slowed down.
https://twitter.com/streetfitebanch/status/980190473171193857
Interestingly, Povetkin is the mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua’s WBA belt. So if Joshua doesn’t fight Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury next, Povetkin would be one of the leading candidates to fight Joshua next.
