Joshua will defend his WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and IBO titles against the dangerous Russian at Wembley on Saturday night.
Povetkin enters the contest riding an eight-fight win streak, in which he’s knocked out all but two of his opponents.
Joshua is expecting nothing less than a tough test from the former kickboxer and is aiming to take him out before the start of the championship rounds.
When asked for his thoughts on the outcome of the fight at yesterday’s open workout, the Olympic gold medallist said: “Hopefully (I’ll) take him down in round eight!”
Should Joshua get past Povetkin, he’ll set up a heavyweight unification bout against the winner of the upcoming WBC title fight between champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
Joshua is well aware of what potentially awaits him but has remained focused on seeing off his latest title challenger.
“Yeah I’m focused,” the 28-year-old said. “I’ve come to a stage now where I have a deep world and my hearts big.
“In sparring, I’ve tested myself time and time again. My coaches wonder what I’m doing in sparring.
“So sometimes I’ll tell them to hit me because I know how to throw punches. I know how to fight, but the question is what I can take when it comes back.
“So with Povetkin, I’m completely focused, but also focused on having a good scrap, and don’t mind coming away with a black eye and a cut nose because I want to give a bit to take a bit.”
At the ripe old age of 39, Povetkin’s days competing at the highest level are close to being behind him, a fact he’s all too aware of.
“I think right now I’m in one of the best shapes of my career,” ‘Sasha’ said. “Although I’m 39 right now, I feel like I’m 25. I have Anthony Joshua in my sights and that’s all I’m focused about is this fight.”
“This is a very important fight for me and of course this will be one of my last chances to make an impact and I will.”
Joshua vs Povetkin fight card
Anthony Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin – WBA Super, WBO, IBF and IBO Heavyweight title fight
Luke Campbell vs Yvan Mendy – WBC Lightweight title final eliminator bout
Lawrence Okolie vs Matty Askin – British Cruiserweight title fight
Sergey Kuzmin vs David Price – WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title fight
Shakhram Giyasov vs Julio Laguna – Welterweight bout
Dana Remezan vs TBA – Heavyweight bout