While 40-year-old Povetkin enjoys the autumn of a career that once saw him reign as WBA champion, Hunter is nine years younger and with his best years likely still ahead of him. The mobile, fast-handed American is riding a six-fight winning run since moving up from cruiserweight. This includes victories over touted prospects in Martin Bakole and, most recently earlier this month, Sergey Kuzmin, Povetkin’s countryman. Hunter has lost only to the imperious Oleksandr Usyk down at 200lbs. 

This is a potential showdown which would match heavyweights of a similar standing with styles that should mesh for an exciting spectacle. It would also provide one of the pair with the standout result on their recent ledger to propel them to a tilt at a world title. Let’s hope Hearn gets this one over the line.