Joshua vs Parker: David Price's fight with Alexander Povetkin set to be confirmed on Anthony Joshua bill

Alexander Povetkin's fight with David Price could be announced this week for the Anthony Joshua-Joseph Parker bill on March 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office Alexander Povetkin's fight with David Price could be announced this week for the Anthony Joshua-Joseph Parker bill on March 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office

Alexander Povetkin has agreed terms to face David Price and their heavyweight fight could be announced this week on the Anthony Joshua-Joseph Parker bill.

The Russian is a potential future opponent for Joshua after becoming the WBA's mandatory challenger and is set to fight on the undercard before the British star battles Joseph Parker in a unification clash at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on March 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

But promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Price could replace Povetkin at the top of the WBA rankings if he pulls off a big upset defeat.

Of course you make Povetkin a big favourite, but David Price can really punch and if he can knock out Alexander Povetkin, he catapults himself to No 1 in the WBA world rankings. Eddie Hearn

"We have approval from the British Boxing Board of Control, from the WBA as well," Hearn told Sky Sports. "David Price has confirmed the fight. The contract is with Alexander Povetkin, just recently went with him after agreeing terms.

"We are hopeful that fight will be announced this week. It's a really interesting fight in the heavyweight mix.

"Of course you make Povetkin a big favourite, but David Price can really punch and if he can knock out Alexander Povetkin, he catapults himself to No 1 in the WBA world rankings. It would be quite a story."

Joshua is already a few weeks into his training camp as he prepares to put his WBA 'super' and IBF belts at stake against WBO title holder Parker.

Hearn says Joshua is starting sparring earlier than normal, because he is fully aware of the threat posed by his fellow unbeaten champion.

Joshua has changed his normal training routine to include earlier sparring

"He's in Sheffield, he's up there all week and then returns home at the weekend," said Hearn. "Sparring partners are flying out this Sunday. Sparring a little bit earlier than usual.

"In a good place. Had a good solid rest, excited about this fight, got the bit between his teeth.

"The Takam fight lost a little bit of its buzz and I think we saw that in his performance.

"This is a fight, he knows the dangers against Joseph Parker. He knows what's on the line, another world championship belt on the way to becoming undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

"He's excited for this fight, he knows it's a great fight, he wants to look brilliant in this fight. Camp underway, sparring underway this week, all ready for the big night on March 31.

Watch the Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker world heavyweight title unification fight, from Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on March 31, live and exclusive on Sky Sports Box Office.