Michael Hunter vs. Alexander Povetkin - December 7, 2019

[Rgoodwin]

I would like to see the Bounty Hunter pull it off. It's definitely possible.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Alexander Povetkin v Michael Hunter and Scott Quigg v Jono Carroll have been confirmed by promoter Eddie Hearn as additions to the undercard of the December 7 Andy Ruiz-Anthony Joshua rematch in Saudi Arabia.

Hearn told iFL TV during Wednesday’s media workouts for Saturday’s Regis Prograis-Josh Taylor 140lb unification world title fight that a further three or possibly four fights have still to be announced for the world heavyweight title clash at the purpose built Diriyah Arena on the outskirts of the country’s capital Riyadh.

The chief support in Saudi Arabia is a fascinating heavyweight bout between slickster Hunter and the tried and tested Povetkin. The latter, a former WBA heavyweight champion, fought recently on August 31st beating Hughie Fury over 12 rounds in London. The 40-year-old Russian finds himself ranked ten, four and five with the IBF, WBC and WBA respectively while 31-year-old Hunter, fresh off a 12 round decision victory against Sergey Kuzmin last month in New York, finds himself at ten, seven and six with the WBO, IBF and WBA respectively.

By Shaun Brown

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Perfect fight to make

[JxhDel.]

The jumpstart to great things that a good youngster like Hunter needs.

[drunkenpiper36]

Should be a good and competitive fight

[Bandog]

I was hoping Usyk would fight someone of Povetkin's caliber instead of who he did.

Anyway, I voted Hunter by decision. Very dangerous fight for him though if no strict PED testing.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Alexander Povetkin vs Michael Hunter confirmed for AJ bill

Povetkin vs Hunter on same bill as Ruiz Jr-Joshua rematch on December 7, live on Sky Sports Box Office

Alexander Povetkin collides with Michael Hunter in an explosive heavyweight clash on the same bill as Anthony Joshua's huge rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.

Joshua aims to regain the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight belts from Ruiz Jr on December 7, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with three more major fights confirmed ahead of the massive main event in Saudi Arabia.

Former world champion Scott Quigg also faces Jono Carroll in a super-featherweight showdown, while there is more heavyweight action when the highly-rated Filip Hrgovic meets Eric Molina.

Dangerous Russian veteran Povetkin will add another significant victory to his résumé if he can dispatch Hunter following his recent points victory over Hughie Fury.

"Hunter is a strong, highly ranked boxer," said Povetkin. "I think it will be a good and interesting fight. I'm not going to make any plans for the next year, first I have to go through this fight against Hunter, but I would definitely like to box for a world title."

Former cruiserweight Hunter has already beaten two Russians in Alexander Ustinov and Sergey Kuzmin, and now enters his toughest test as a heavyweight.

"I look at this fight with Povetkin as my 'gold medal' fight," said Hunter. "I was in the Olympics and so was he, he won the gold medal and I didn't, so this is basically my gold medal fight right here. I am always pushing for the KO.

"I thrive on making guys quit, so I'm definitely going to push for it. I am a boxer first though and I'm certainly going to be boxing his shoes off. If I see any quit in him, then I am going to take advantage of that."

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said: "Three great fights for what is the boxing event of the year!

"The world will stop on December 7 to watch Andy Ruiz Jr versus Anthony Joshua 2 - and now they have more mouthwatering action to whet the appetite.

"Povetkin against Hunter is a brilliant match-up, with both men looking for a crack at a world heavyweight title in 2020. Unbeaten Filip Hrgovic makes his first step up against former world title challenger Eric Molina.

"In a thrilling domestic battle, Scott Quigg takes on Jono Carroll in what will be a high paced all-action war. There's more to come soon on a night that will go down in history."

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: "Anthony Joshua's rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr will capture the attention of the boxing world - and we have an action-packed bill ahead of a massive main event.

"Expect fireworks when Alexander Povetkin is pitted against Michael Hunter, a fearless American contender, while Croatia's Filip Hrgovic will be keen to show why he is considered the dangerman in the top division.

"The exciting duo of Scott Quigg and Jono Carroll should also guarantee a frenetic encounter on a momentous night for AJ as he attempts to regain his world heavyweight titles."

[oogiebe]

Great matchup. Hunter by decision. Would have been a better fight if Pov wasn't 167 years old.

[margaret thatcher]

Pov and Ort should have an old ped man battle

[oogiebe]

Pov and Ort should have an old ped man battle

LOL! Ortiz would be too much for him I think.

[margaret thatcher]

Theyd probably both break a hip and have a heart attack

[oogiebe]

Theyd probably both break a hip and have a heart attack

[Ruthless-RKO]

[ValMar]

To be honest, I do not know a lot about Hunter, but I can remember that Usyk toyed with him. On the other side, I watched (surely) more than 20 Povetkin's fights. I think he had passed his prime long time ago. So, I do not dare to predict anything.

[Onetimeonly]

I don't recall usyk toying with him. Maybe a bit late, he was more competitive than gassiev.

[Cent0089]

I don't recall usyk toying with him. Maybe a bit late, he was more competitive than gassiev.

Well, Usyk - Hunter was more competetive than Usyk - Gassiev. On the other side, Hunter was taking savage beating in last rounds and fight should be stopped in 12th. He was lucky that he escaped healthy from that fight. Gassiev fight was one sided for 12 rounds, bud Gassiev was in no real danger of being stopped.

[Onetimeonly]

I don't recall usyk toying with him. Maybe a bit late, he was more competitive than gassiev.

Well, Usyk - Hunter was more competetive than Usyk - Gassiev. On the other side, Hunter was taking savage beating in last rounds and fight should be stopped in 12th. He was lucky that he escaped healthy from that fight. Gassiev fight was one sided for 12 rounds, bud Gassiev was in no real danger of being stopped.

That doesn't contradict anything I said.

[Cent0089]

Well, Usyk - Hunter was more competetive than Usyk - Gassiev. On the other side, Hunter was taking savage beating in last rounds and fight should be stopped in 12th. He was lucky that he escaped healthy from that fight. Gassiev fight was one sided for 12 rounds, bud Gassiev was in no real danger of being stopped.

That doesn't contradict anything I said.

[ValMar]

That doesn't contradict anything I said.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week

[tiny_acres]

I'm still picking Povetkin to win this one

[Enlightened-One]

Povetkin is wealthy past-his-prime fighter in his forties that is ready-for-the-taking. And I suspect the fine performance he delivered against AJ was his last hurrah.

So Michael Hunter has got an excellent chance to out-work and outpoint the heavy-handed Russian.

I’ll be pleasantly surprised if Povektin defies my own expectations and defeats the American.

[bigman1968]

Povetkin is wealthy past-his-prime fighter in his forties that is ready-for-the-taking. And I suspect the fine performance he delivered against AJ was his last hurrah.

So Michael Hunter has got an excellent chance to out-work and outpoint the heavy-handed Russian.

I’ll be pleasantly surprised if Povektin defies my own expectations and defeats the American.

Unfortunatelly, Povetkin is not as wealthy as he suppose to be, due to his bad investments (with his brother and alone).
Actually, as it was rumored in Russian forums, most of his last paychecks went to his creditors.
So, he need some more paychecks, and he’ll take any fight with good money...

[margaret thatcher]

Povetkin is wealthy past-his-prime fighter in his forties that is ready-for-the-taking. And I suspect the fine performance he delivered against AJ was his last hurrah.

So Michael Hunter has got an excellent chance to out-work and outpoint the heavy-handed Russian.

I’ll be pleasantly surprised if Povektin defies my own expectations and defeats the American.

Unfortunatelly, Povetkin is not as wealthy as he suppose to be, due to his bad investments (with his brother and alone).
Actually, as it was rumored in Russian forums, most of his last paychecks went to his creditors.
So, he need some more paychecks, and he’ll take any fight with good money...

What type of investments

[Enlightened-One]

Povetkin is wealthy past-his-prime fighter in his forties that is ready-for-the-taking. And I suspect the fine performance he delivered against AJ was his last hurrah.

So Michael Hunter has got an excellent chance to out-work and outpoint the heavy-handed Russian.

I’ll be pleasantly surprised if Povektin defies my own expectations and defeats the American.

Unfortunatelly, Povetkin is not as wealthy as he suppose to be, due to his bad investments (with his brother and alone).
Actually, as it was rumored in Russian forums, most of his last paychecks went to his creditors.
So, he need some more paychecks, and he’ll take any fight with good money...

Didn’t Povetkin earn about $13.5m from his bouts against Klitschko and Joshua? That’s an awful lot of money to have spent.

That’s unfortunate! If he keeps on fighting, he’ll end up being used as a big-name stepping stone gatekeeper for prospects.