By Vadim Pushkin

Alexander Zimin, the former trainer of former champion Alexander Povetkin, believes the Russian fighter is very capable of beating IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs) of the UK.

Povetkin (31-1, 23 KOs) has won five fights in a row since suffering a twelve round decision loss to Wladimir Klitschko in 2013.

All five wins have come by knockout, but Povetkin's career is on shelf after failing two random drug tests in 2016. In May, he tested positive for a banned substance while training for a world title fight against WBC champion Deontay Wilder, and then he tested positive for a December eliminator with Bermane Stiverne. Both fights were canceled.

Because of his drug testing issues, Povetkin has only fought once since November 2015.

Joshua on the other hand is viewed as the top heavyweight in the world after stopping Klitschko in eleven rounds this past Saturday night, before a crowd of 90,000 fans at Wembley in London.

Styles make fights says Zimin, and he believes Povetkin has the style to beat Joshua. Both boxers are Olympic gold medal winners.

"Alexander Povetkin would be a serious contender to Joshua and he could beat him, because he also has high impact style of fighting,"  Zimin told Oleg Bogatov.

"[Povetkin] is more experienced, can punch hard and fights very well from a close distance. There is a good chance that he would succeed in the fight with Joshua, despite the superiority that Joshua has in size. But everything depends on the speed and strength training in camp and endurance."

Zimin also believes the 41-year-old Klitschko should forget about a rematch with Joshua and instead should focus on retirement.

"[Klitschko] began to act insecure [in the fight] and do not fully carry out his work in the ring Yes, he was well prepared, but once he sent Joshua down to the canvas - he did nothing..... there was no development of further attacks and Joshua took advantage of this by demonstrating aggressive boxing, breaking Klitschko and winning. I think that Wladimir should retire."