Wilder is set to face Tyson Fury on December 1, but AJ made it clear he still wants to face the American on April 13.
Speaking after the fight, AJ praised Povetkin but also suggested he’s ready to finally lock horns with Wilder.
“Povetkin is a very tough challenger and he proved it tonight,” Anthony Joshua said.
“I realised he was strong to the head but weak to the body.
“Let’s see whats happening on April 13.
“Let’s ask the question, I have no mandatories.
“The sport is about what the fans want, let’s put a poll out on Twitter and see who fans want me to take on.
“I got my knockout streak back, I found my right hand again.
“There’s a lot of pressure, the country is rooting for us all and boxing.
“The energy in here spurs you on and I do feel that pressure.”
Pushed on who he wants to fight next, Joshua admitted: “There’s no contract signed at the minute. My No 1 would be Wilder, that’s it.”
Joshua’s promoter – Eddie Hearn – was also quick to talk up a potential 2019 fight with Wilder.
“Joshua is a player in this game, the one stepping up and taking on great fighters,” Hearn said.
“He is a special talent and a great model.
“There was a lot of pressure, Povetkin is a great fighter.
“Joshua’s a real world champion, we will go away now and try and make a fight with [Deontay] Wilder.
“Tonight was about getting that big banana skin of Alexander Povetkin out the way.
“If it’s not Deontay Wilder then it will be Whyte here on April 13.”
Povetkin, 39, had started the opening exchanges of tonight’s fight well.
He left Joshua wobbling in the opening round as it drew to a close and looked dangerous in the early exchanges.
The Watford-born fighter kept his cool as the rounds progressed though.
In the seventh he sprung into life and floored Alexander Povetkin with a ferocious combo.
Povetkin bravely got to his feet, but he was swiftly finished off by Joshua.
Dillian Whyte, who could still face Joshua again if the Wilder fight isn’t rubber stamped, was impressed with how AJ is handling the pressure.
“Povetkin was going to be sharp early, but AJ between 5 and 7 rounds,” the British heavyweight explained.
“Joshua’s youth and his activity, the fighters he has fought, I thought he would come through.
“Joshua is under a lot of pressure, there is massive pressure on me every fight and he is at a higher level than me.
“He was patient and took his time, he was jabbing to the body and then brought the right into play which caught Povetkin by surprise.
“Hopefully, it’s me next, I’m here and ready to fight.”
