by James Slater – After having had a couple of different names mentioned as possible opponents for his next fight, it has been announced how unbeaten Russian contender Alexander Povetkin will face Mexico’s Javier Mora on the March 13th Marco Huck-Adam Richards card in Germany. Set for ten-rounds, this fight will almost certainly be the last fight for the 18-0(13) 30-year-old before he finally gets his earned shot at the IBF heavyweight title currently held by Wladimir Klitschko (who, of course, faces Eddie Chambers in defence of this belt, along with his Ring magazine and WBO titles, on March 20th)..
Although Mora, 22-5-1(18) is the younger man by two years at age 28, he will enter the ring against Povetkin a decided underdog. And, with all due respect, it is hard to make a strong case for the Mexican who lives in California winning next week. Although the approx 245-pounder looked pretty durable in going the full eight-rounds against Johnathon Banks back in September (in a dreadfully dull fight, it must be said) in the past Mora has been halted quickly on one occasion.
TKO’d inside a round by Sultan Ibragimov back in March of 2007, Mora was caught quickly. Maybe this was something of a fluke, as Mora has never been taken out by anyone else in such a manner – his other losses coming via points setbacks and a TD loss – but Povetkin may well look at this fight and decide that he too can get the job done pretty quickly if he so chooses. But then again, maybe Povetkin, who has fought just twice in the last eleven months and who is still getting accustomed to working with new trainer Teddy Atlas, will look to get some rounds in.
Fans were sure Povetkin would have made his assault on the IBF heavyweight title by now, yet he is still taking “tune-up” fights such as this one. Any fight can be dangerous, and as his 18 KO wins can attest, Mora can certainly punch some. It really would be a shame for the Russian hope if he were derailed by a non-title fight opponent, thus having his big fight with Klitschko (or, if he pulls off the upset, Chambers, in what would be a rematch of the two mens’ Jan. 2008 meeting; won on points by Povetkin) ruined.
Mora could well look to unsettle Povetkin by jumping on him fast, or he could put in another dull effort like the one he did against Banks. In all likelihood, though, it will be Povetkin who decides how the fight will go. A mid-rounds KO for Povetkin could happen, but if Atlas’ contender does feel the need for rounds the bout may well go the full ten-rounds.
Either way, and barring a huge upset, the man from Moscow wins.