FILE - In this Monday, May 16, 2016 file photo, Alexander Povetkin of Russia speaks at a news conference in Moscow, Russia. Photo / AP.
Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin has earned the right to fight either Joseph Parker or Anthony Joshua in a mandatory challenge after beating Christian Hammer at the weekend.
Povetkin, who has a history of failed drugs tests, comfortably outpointed the Germany-based Romanian Hammer in Russia.
The fight was a final eliminator
for both the WBO and WBA titles. Parker holds the WBO version of the title and Joshua the WBA belt - but a unification belt takes precedence over a mandatory which means Povetkin will have to bide his time.
The Parker v Joshua fight is yet to be officially confirmed, but is likely to be held in the United Kingdom in late March. There is understood to be a re-match clause in the contract, plus American Deontay Wilder, the WBC title holder, is in the frame.
Povetkin was part of the conversation before the Joshua fight was deemed a priority by Parker's promoter David Higgins, and Parker is likely to have to travel to Russia for it.
