Anthony Joshua weights in a stone heavier against his Russian opponent who he faces tonight

NIGERIAN-born British world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua will be over a stone heavier than his veteran Russian opponent Alexander Povetkin when he defends his title at Wembley today after the weigh-in showed him to be bulkier.

Later tonight, Joshua, 28, who seeks to become the undisputed world boxing champion will face Povetkin, 39 in London.  Joshua, whose International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation titles will be on the line, weighed in yesterday at 17 stone 8 pounds (111.5 kg), while  Povetkin tipped the scales at 15 stone 12 pounds.

Looking forward to the fight, Joshua admitted feeling under what he described as tonnes of pressure as he returns to the scene of arguably his greatest triumph, an 11th-round stoppage of former champion Vladimir Klitschko last year. Joshua, the 2012 Olympic champion comes into today’s contest having won all 21 of his professional bouts, although his last fight, against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in Cardiff in March, saw him go the distance for the first time.

Povetkin said: “It’s a very comfortable and good weight for me, I feel great. I’m very calm, I feel no pressure and am very happy about this fight taking place so soon.

“It’s very pleasant for me to see fans of mine here in England rooting for me. I don’t make predictions, it will be an interesting and thrilling fight.”

Despite the sizeable weight advantage, Joshua insists he is agile enough to secure his 22nd professional victory. He added that Povetkin is going to be quick and fast, so he will put on his dancing shoes and be fast with his feet.

After this fight, Joshua is looking forward to a reunification fight with World Boxing Council (WBC) champion, the American Deontay Wilder. Negotiations are on and if the fight goes ahead, the winner will become the undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion.