By James Slater: With unified heavyweight king Waldimir Klitschko (Ring Mag, WBA, IBF, WBO) being elevated to WBA “super champion,” the “regular” version of the WBA belt is vacant and, according to a number of sources including Boxrec.com, Alexander Povetkin and Ruslan Chagaev will fight for the vacant strap in Germany in August.
Not a great-looking match-up but a fairly intriguing one all the same, the winner of the fight between the unbeaten Russian and the former WBA ruler from Uzbekistan might provide a decent enough challenger for “Dr. Steel Hammer,” especially if it is Povetkin who wins on August 27th.
32-year-old Chagaev was, of course, badly and comprehensively beaten by Wladimir back in June of 2009, being forced to retire on his stool after nine one-sided rounds. Povetkin, however, still has some intrigue and hope about him seeing as he is both young (at 31 he is just a year younger than Ruslan but Povetkin is a young 31, with no wear and tear to really speak of) and unbeaten, 21-0(15). If he can manage to do a number on Chagaev, 27-1-1(17), maybe, just maybe, Povetkin will give his career the kick-start it badly needs and put himself in the frame as the best-looking challenger for the mighty Wladimir.
But can Povetkin beat Chagaev next month?
Fans have been concerned for some time now that the career of the Teddy Atlas-trained contender may have stagnated beyond the level of saving. Notoriously inactive over the past couple of years or so (just five bouts in the last three years), Povetkin, under Atlas’ guidance, also turned down a shot at Wladimir, due to his “not being ready.” Many fans, and Klitschko himself, said Povetin was nuts for taking this decision, and the 2004 Olympic gold medallist’s popularity began a steady decline.
It seems hard to reason now, how the talented, aggressive Povetkin hammered out a fine IBF elimination of a win over the then unbeaten “Fast” Eddie Chambers way back in January of 2008. At that time Povetkin looked to many people like a future champ, yet he somehow did virtually nothing to build on his biggest pro win. Victories over useful fighters such as Jason Estrada and, last time out in December of last year, the huge Nicolai Firtha followed, but these wins had a hollow look to them.
A hand injury picked up in the stoppage win over Firtha didn’t help his cause, but Povetkin must now attempt to fight off ring-rust as well as Chagaev. Povetkin will be giving away an amount of pro experience when he faces “The White Tyson,” and he will also be facing the first southpaw of his pro career since his 2007 win over Chris Byrd. The question is: can Povetkin find the necessary motivation and rise to the occasion next month?
A distance fight looks likely, as neither guy has either murderous punching power or a poor chin. The outcome of this one may well depend on who takes the early initiative. Both fighters have been lazy in the past, and Chagaev looked a tired fighter in his last fight, against Travis Walker last November. In fact, both guys may need a few rounds in which to rid themselves of rust and really get going.
Povetkin’s youth, his more naturally aggressive style and his needing to prove himself should see to it that he edges more rounds than does the former WBA ruler. I go for Povetkin to win a close, possibly dull decision. But will the fans care about the winner if the fight is a boring slog of an encounter?