Anthony Joshua weighed in two stone heavier than Alexander Povetkin ahead of their world title fight on Saturday.

Joshua, the unified heavyweight world champion, took to the scales weighing 17st 8lbs 5oz.

Povetkin weighed in at 15st 12lbs for the fight at Wembley Stadium.

Joshua was already the favourite heading into the fight and the weigh-in has done nothing to change the bookmakers’ minds.

He also has the height advantage over Povetkin, who boasts a 34-1 record.

This seems like just the prelude to a bigger fight for Joshua in 2018; possibly against Deontay Wilder, providing the two camps can sort out their differences.

But Joshua will certainly take Povetkin seriously, especially after seeing the devastating manner in which the Russia defeated David Price in March.

Froch's instant reaction

Povetkin may be the lighter of the two but Carl Froch doesn’t believe that he will be fazed.

Froch was asked for his immediate reaction to the weigh-in and he made an interesting point about Joshua's opponent.

“That’s a matter advantage; height, reach and weight,” Froch said.

“But Povetkin is used to it. He’s been in there with the big guns and he’s performed well, his only lost coming to Klitschko.

“He won’t be worried about that, Povetkin, but it’s a big advantage for AJ.”

Watch the weigh-in

Froch is right.

Price had the reach, reach and weight advantages when he faced Povetkin and ended up on the receiving end of a brutal knockout defeat.

Povetkin’s record speaks for itself and he won’t be put off by the physical disadvantages he will face against Joshua.

Instead, Joshua’s talents and the British support should be his biggest concerns.

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist is widely considered to be the best heavyweight in the planet and is continuing to learn how to defend his titles.

Joshua’s WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO titles are on the line on Saturday, and he isn’t ready to give them up yet.