Tony Bellew has claimed that Anthony Joshua’s next opponent, Alexander Povetkin, is a different man when he’s on performance-enhancing drugs.

Joshua is due to fight the Russian in September, and Bellew says that if it’s a clean fight, Povetkin doesn’t stand a chance against the quadruple world champion.

The 38-year-old failed two drug tests in 2016 but has worked hard to return to the world title stage.

Of course, the Russian's reputation within the sport remains unpopular, at best.

Bellew has revealed he has spoken to other boxers who have sparred with Povetkin and they claim it is quite easy to tell if he is using a performance-enhancing substance. 

"Povetkin is a different man when he’s on drugs and I say this because I know sparring partners who have been in his camp," he wrote in The Metro.

"They have openly said to me, ‘he’s a ferocious animal, when he’s on drugs’ but they see and feel the difference sparring him when he isn’t on them.

"He’s a completely different man when he’s on drugs. I have no problem saying, I would absolutely annihilate Povetkin if he wasn’t on drugs. But if he’s on drugs I haven’t got a hope. That’s the harsh reality."

On a positive note, Povetkin has agreed to join the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association programme ahead of the fight with Anthony Joshua, in a bid to reassure fight fans he is now clean.

Nevertheless, Bellew isn't expecting Povetkin's likely clash with Joshua to last too long and believes AJ will be actively looking for a big knockout after his measured approach versus Joseph Parker.

He added: "Joshua has proved he can navigate his way through a 12-round fight without any hiccups. Anthony Joshua will resume normal service against Povetkin, return to being the guy who goes in there looking for the knockout.

"He’s the guy who goes in there and takes the gamble looking for the knockout.

"That’s what everyone turns up to see when they watch heavyweight boxing. No one wants to see a 12-round match, two fighters playing chess. They turn up to see blood, guts and someone going to sleep.

"Joshua has done that time and time again, and I believe he’ll deliver that when he faces Povetkin. I think he’ll absolutely obliterate him. Smash him in three or four rounds at most.

"Price was five seconds away from ending Povetkin. It was just that the bell saved him."