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LONDON. — World heavyweight boxinbg champion Anthony Joshua will fight Alexander Povetkin at Wembley on September 22 with his fourth stadium fight in succession bringing his total live audience for those spectaculars close to 350 000.

The confirmation that Joshua will fulfil his WBA mandatory defence against Povetkin will come as no surprise.

This world heavyweight title fight was always more likely than a unification battle with WBC Champion Deontay Wilder.

The 28-year-old has been in training while negotiations with Wilder stalled and he has now admitted he can’t wait to return to action.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring. The end of March feels a long time ago now,” said Joshua, who beat Joseph Parker by unanimous points decision in Cardiff on March 31.

“Povetkin is a serious challenge that I will prepare meticulously for. He has serious pedigree and only a fool would underestimate what he brings to the table. “Training hasn’t stopped for me, but the next 10 weeks ahead will be intense both mentally and physically. I will push myself to breaking point to make sure I am in peak condition for another huge night for British boxing at Wembley Stadium on September 22.”

Negotiations for the contest with Wilder to find the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis has been bogged down in retracted and bitter trans-Atlantic arguments. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn insists that his $15m (£11.3m) offer to Wilder remains on the table for another Wembley date next April. — Mailonline.