Hughie Fury vs. Alexander Povetkin - 31 August 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Confirmed for the Lomachenko-Campbell PPV card.



The other World title fight Hearn was referring to will be Charlie Edwards making his mandatory defence I take it.

[JimStone]

Fair dos. Good matchmaking. Pov is no longer the force he was, far from it but he's still dangerous. Hughie wins on points though.

[MasterG]

A boring points victory for Hughie. Its not a fight I would pay to watch. Ive seen Hughie fight live once and never again.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hughie Fury will take on Alexander Povetkin at The O2 in London on Saturday August 31 on the undercard of the huge lightweight world title showdown between Vasiliy Lomachenko and Luke Campbell, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Aged just 24, Manchester's Fury (23-2, 13 KOs) has been fearless in taking on the world's heavyweight contenders, losing a majority 12-round decision in a close and controversial WBO world title challenge to New Zealand's Joseph Parker in 2017.

Then, in October 2018, he travelled to Bulgaria to battle former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev, losing on points in a gallant and gory IBF Final Eliminator in Sofia. He heads into his next challenge coming off the back of two wins over Chris Norrad and Sam Peter earlier this month.

Former WBA champion Povetkin, a 2004 Olympic gold medallist, was last seen falling short in his challenge to dethrone former WBA, IBF and WBO champion Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September 2018, succumbing to an onslaught in round seven.

The Russian powerhouse (34-2, 24 KOs) remains one of the most fearsome punchers in the heavyweight division and is well known among UK fight fans following his devastating knockout of Liverpool's David Price at the Principality Stadium in March 2018.

"I'm over the moon with this news," said Fury. "I can't wait. These are the kind of fights I want to be in. Matchroom can get me these big names and I'm just really looking forward to it. Povetkin is a dangerous man. You can't take anything away from that. He's not been where he's been for nothing. It's a very serious fight but I'm confident of getting the win on the night.

"This fight here represents a massive opportunity. As soon as it was suggested, I said 'yes'. Povetkin is a completely different level to my last fight and I believe his style will complement mine."

Povetkin said: "Hughie Fury is a young, strong and challenging boxer for me to face. I am glad this fight will take place in the United Kingdom where people really love their boxing. I am anticipating an exciting fight and I look forward to returning to London next month."

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: "I can't quite believe this fight has been made. It's happened very quickly. There's huge risk in the fight but there is also huge reward and if Hughie can beat Povetkin on August 31 he catapults himself into huge fights and immediate world title contention. It's going to be a great fight on a great card - a huge night for British boxing."

Peter Fury, father and trainer of Hughie, added: "It's a very big fight for Hughie. He gets big exposure and it's like anything else. Eddie gave us a list of seven opponents and we said we want the best one - Povetkin.

"He's gone the rounds umpteen times with top opponents. He's a gold medallist amateur and a former world champion. He's a tough fight for anybody. He's not ranked up there for nothing. I believe Hughie's ready now. He's had 25 fights as a professional and this is his time. He's achieved a lot for his age already but he's ready for the top."

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: "Hughie Fury's heavyweight clash against Alexander Povetkin is an exciting first addition to the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Luke Campbell bill, with more thrilling fights to be added to another bumper night of action at The O2.

"We're delighted to have Hughie Fury on Sky Sports Box Office, having worked with his cousin Tyson in the past, and Alexander Povetkin has always produced fireworks throughout his career. Luke Campbell will then test his razor-sharp skills against the supremely talented Vasiliy Lomachenko in a mouthwatering main event."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Thing with Hughie, he's kinda like Khan. He's up for any fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Can see Mick is still there.

[stujones]

Fab fight - great matchmaking. If Hughie wins he's right up there in the world mix again and it will be a career best win.

Suprised the early posts on here are going for a Hughie win...... I would say Pov is as good as Pulev even still.

[milpool]

"Aged just 24, Manchester's Fury (23-2, 13 KOs) has been fearless in taking on the world's heavyweight contenders, losing a majority 12-round decision in a close and controversial WBO world title challenge to New Zealand's Joseph Parker in 2017."

Does Chris Norrad count?

[Coco]

A win here and Hughie can talk about being top 5

[Glass Joe]

Fury will probably win on points. Povetkin is 39 and seen better days.

[JimStone]

Fab fight - great matchmaking. If Hughie wins he's right up there in the world mix again and it will be a career best win.

Suprised the early posts on here are going for a Hughie win...... I would say Pov is as good as Pulev even still.

I think the height disparity and age makes the difference. Hughie knows how to use range, unlike Joshua or Price.

[3132DW]

Can see Mick is still there.

Advisor Role.

He’s getting more round by the day

[Ruthless-RKO]

Can see Mick is still there.

Advisor Role.

He’s getting more round by the day

Kinda how Higgin's is staying with Parker as an advisor as well.

[3132DW]

Advisor Role.

He’s getting more round by the day

Kinda how Higgin's is staying with Parker as an advisor as well.

It’s like I don’t want to sack you as you’ve been here since Day 1 - so we’ll give you a wage anyway.

Peter Fury and Hearn could sort deal without Mick.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Povetkin wasn't doing too bad, many had him ahead against AJ, by time this fight happens, it will be literally nearly 1 year since that fight.

Hughie can probabl control the distance better than AJ and maybe not get caught as much.

This is a 50-50 fight. Hughie has a big chance here of winning. Will it be an upset if he does? Maybe, depends how it's done.

Povetkin is clearly past his best, but he's still ranked top 10. He's still up there in terms of HW boxers. a 38/9 year old HW boxer isn't always shot. Not like he needs to make weight either. Both usually weigh similar too.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Kinda how Higgin's is staying with Parker as an advisor as well.

It’s like I don’t want to sack you as you’ve been here since Day 1 - so we’ll give you a wage anyway.

Peter Fury and Hearn could sort deal without Mick.

Easily.

Surprised Higgins/Parker didn't do a co-promotional deal, kept Duco alive..

[JimStone]

Peter Fury and Hearn could sort deal without Mick.

I'm sure he could too but maybe he's got better things to do than trawl through emails, contracts and calls from Matchroom and sees the value in paying an advisor to do the work for him.

[jameswilson]

Mick ‘Shades of Aioli’ Hennessy,

[DrDuke]

Hughie will survive, but Povetkin will outfight him in a pretty lopsided fashion.

[3132DW]

Hughie will survive, but Povetkin will outfight him in a pretty lopsided fashion.

Could see it being 116-112 for Povetkin just with class bringing him through on points.

Fury is tough but doesn’t have that level of ability.

[Coco]

Hughie will survive, but Povetkin will outfight him in a pretty lopsided fashion.

Could see it being 116-112 for Povetkin just with class bringing him through on points.

Fury is tough but doesn’t have that level of ability.

If it goes like that it will do Fury a lot of good.

[Pukka Cheese]

Very interested to see what Povetkin has left.
Great fight.

Hughie needs this big win, but i said that vs Parker & Pulev so....

[margaret thatcher]

Povetkin of his best was a level above, but his age and out of the ring for a year after a KO loss hes a bit of a wild card IMO.

[oogiebe]

I see it close due to Pov's age and Fury's avoidance style. It will be a snoozer with Pov winning on being the more aggressive fighter. Fury never seems to look comfortable in the ring.