Video: Alexander Povetkin demolishes David Price in Joshua-Parker co-main

The co-main event of Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph Parker saw Alexander Povetkin wipe out David Price with a vicious left hand.

Let’s not mince words here: Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph Parker was a disappointment. It’s the first time we’ve really said that a Joshua fight wasn’t entertaining to watch, but hey, sometimes a certain style (combined with inept refereeing) can make what looks like an interesting contest a bit of a dud.

If you wanted to see a knockout involving two heavyweights, then you had to settle for what transpired in the co-main event between Alexander Povetkin (34-1, 24 KOs) and David Price (22-5, 18 KOs). England’s Price was a massive underdog against the Russian, who is a bit of a villain in the boxing world having failed two drug tests, with one leading to the cancellation of a 2016 bout vs. Deontay Wilder. Povetkin is nevertheless one of the best heavyweights in the world, and he got the fifth-round KO over the notoriously chinny Price. It was hardly an easy win for Povetkin, as both he and heavy underdog Price suffered third-round knockdowns — Povetkin was saved by the ropes but was given a count — only for Povetkin to cap things off with a right hand and a wicked left hook to send Price down and out for good.

Watch the finish below, courtesy of Zombie Prophet:

Price was never going to get up in time, but his corner threw in the towel anyway.

Povetkin is the mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua’s WBA belt, so if Joshua against Deontay Wilder doesn’t materialize, consider Povetkin to be one of the candidates to face Joshua next.

Price, once considered a top prospect, has now been knocked out in all five of his losses.