Anthony Joshua to fight Alexander Povetkin as WBA mandatory if Joseph Parker deal cannot be reached
ANTHONY JOSHUA could face Alexander Povetkin if he fails to strike a deal with Joseph Parker.
Russian fighter Povetkin, 38, has been confirmed as AJ's mandatory challenger in the new WBA rankings.
He beat Christian Hammer on points in December in a final world heavyweight title fight eliminator.
That put him in line for the WBA 'Super' belt that AJ took from Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in May.
Povetkin is also in line to become the mandatory challenger for Parker - who holds the WBO title.
But while the fighter - whose only loss was to Klitschko on points in 2013 - is an option for both AJ and Parker, the duo are likely to fight each other before facing Povetkin.
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Parker's promoter David Higgins claims he has reached a compromise with AJ's camp over the financial split from a possible fight.
The Kiwi was angling for 40 per cent, but Higgins says his man has agreed to a 30-35 per cent cut.
AJ, 28, wants Parker's WBO crown to add to his WBA and IBF titles.
Higgins said: "We have taken a giant leap forward. The fight has never been closer to reality.
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"There are a few other things to be ironed out but I've been sent the contract. It's with my lawyers and I'll send if back in the next day or so.
"I'd like to pay tribute to Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn. Talk is cheap but they want to unify the division and they've put their money where their mouth is.
"Eddie has been wonderful to deal with. There has been no ego and even though we're the smaller side he has been respectful."
