Boxing superstars give their verdict should Anthony Joshua lose to Alexander Povetkin

Boxing superstars give their verdict should Anthony Joshua lose to Alexander Povetkin. With Anthony Joshua's next fight against Alexander Povetkin just around the corner, people are starting to question what will happen to Joshua should he lose against the Russian - which would be the first loss of his professional career. 

Povetkin, 39, has only lost one fight within his entire career, which came against Wladimir Klitschko when he was at the height of his powers.

However, many boxing legends have bounced back from defeat to reclaim their titles and the boxing superstars of today wonder whether AJ has the determination to do just that. 

Nonetheless, fellow heavyweight and boxing foe Dillian Whyte had this to say about his rival: "I don't know. I would like to say yes, that he can pick up the pieces, but he's been under a lot of pressure for so long.

"If he loses, he might say, 'You know what, I've had enough of this, I've got enough money, I've got what I need now.'

"There are many fighters you see that have been undefeated, been on the top, and they lose, and never become the same fighter again. Some of them never come back. He could do it, but whether he wants to, is another thing."

Despite Whyte's comments, scouse fighter Tony Bellew was far more supportive of the British boxer.

"When you are at the top of the mountain like Anthony is, defeat is always unthinkable. The shame and the fear of losing drives you on, more than the glory of winning.

"But he's a very astute, clever businessman, with very good people around him. Let's just say the loss does come, and it did happen, I'm pretty sure that Povetkin is tied up to a rematch clause. If the unimaginable does happen, then I'm sure Povetkin will have an immediate rematch."

However, boxing expert Johnny Nelson is convinced that a loss to Povetkin won't signify the end of Joshua's career. 

"It wouldn't be the end of Joshua. So far, we haven't seen vulnerabilities that he hasn't been able to correct. If there's a vulnerability that Povetkin spots and takes advantage of, it will be something that Joshua can improve.

"Every time Joshua gets in the ring he risks the most - titles, credibility, his brand. He has a lot on his shoulders. This, for me, is as hard as the Wladimir Klitschko fight. Povetkin can turn him over. Joshua has locked himself away from everybody because he knows how dangerous this is."

AJ will be hoping to continue his undefeated streak as he steps into the ring this Saturday to fight Povetkin in a mandatory world title fight, with millions watching from around the world.