Wladimir Klitschko Vs Alexander Povetkin - Fight Preview

By Andrew Graves @andrewgravess

This weekend the boxing world will see Wladimir Klitschko defend his WBA (Super),IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring Heavyweight titles against unbeaten WBA (Regular) champion Alexander Povetkin in Povetkin's home country of Russia.

Bernd Boente: Wladimir will not be forced into a fight with Povetkin!

Bernd Boente (left) with Wladimir (right).

Unified heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko's manager Bernd Boente claims that his fighter will not be forced into a bout with the WBC "super" champion Alexander Povetkin.

Povetkin fought last Saturday against Hasim Rahman in a completely one-sided bout that Povetkin ended up winning by second round KO. The Russian's promoter, Sauerland Event, spoke after the bout and claimed that Wladimir had been given to the end of February 2013 to face Povetkin or he will be stripped of his WBA title. "Dr Steelhammer's" next defence comes against Maruisz Wach on November 10th in Hamburg.

Team Klitschko have denied the WBA's mandate and claims Wladimir has up until the end of the July and even then he will only take the best fight possible.

This is what Bernd Boente had to say: "The WBA gave us a period of two years from the time of the David Haye fight [July 2011] to make a mandatory defence. In other words, up to July 2013. Povetkin's not a true champion, he's the same, a normal contender. We will not allow anyone to force us to do anything."

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97.

Povetkin devastates Rahman!

WBA Heavyweight world champion Alexander Povetkin retained his undefeated record tonight (September 29th) with an emphatic knockout victory over a well-past-his-best Hasim Rahman.

To be honest with you this was exactly the outcome I, and probably most of you were expecting. It was a poor match-up between an "old man" and in-prime world champion. Povetkin was the huge favourite and we saw exactly why in the fight.

Rahman actually looked like he was having trouble walking down the steps towards the ring. Now, when you're making your way to fight a world-class heavyweight in their hometown and you are struggling to actually get to the ring, I think that's time to worry. Rahman actually started relatively well in the first round. His jab was very slow but it was strong and when it did land it was knocking Povetkin back. The only problem was that when Povetkin started to put the pressure on, Rahman just couldn't handle it and his defence was terrible. Povetkin started to land at will and managed to nick the first round. The start of the second was more of the same but when Povetkin decided to step the pressure up once again Rahman just couldn't handle the pace. The 39-year old crumbled under the pressure and looked as though he had just froze. Povetkin came forward and through a flurry of punches and almost every single one knocked Rahman's head back. The referee was forced to stop the fight and end Rahman's title hopes in the second round.

I think it's fair to say that Rahman has to retire now. The American has had a decent career and shouldn't jeopardise his reputation and maybe even his health by attempting to fight at a level he just simply cannot compete at anymore.

For Povetkin it's simple. Either step up the level of opposition or continue to be doubted by most of the boxing fans out there. He is a very good fighter but cannot be called a world champion until he faces a world-class fighter and to be honest with you I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

 

By Jack Price @PriceyJ97.

Povetkin Vs Rahman taken off the Chisora-Haye card!

Alexander Povetkin.

The anticipated heavyweight title fight between Alexander Povetkin and Hasim Rahman has been removed from the show at Upton Park on July 14th, which is headlined by the highly anticipated grudge match between David Haye and Dereck Chisora. Instead the bout has been made the headline fight on a show in Hamburg, Germany on the same night.

Sauerland CEO Chris Meyer claims that the reason they made this decision is because of organisational concerns and potential problems with the TV time. Meyer explained that if the fight took place in London, there was no guarantee that it could be broadcast live in Germany.

This could be the true reason, but it is more much likely that they just didn't want all of the controversy and problems that are surrounding this fight. The fight has attracted a hell of a lot of interest from the fans, positive and negative, but there are some people who do not want this fight to happen. However, many of these people have given up trying now. They have just accepted that this fight is going to happen whether they like it or not.

It unclear now, as to what will be made chief-support on 'Licensed To Thrill' on July 14th. They could bring a big fight in at short notice, but the much more likely solution is that they will boost one of the undercard fights to chief-support and hype it up a lot more than it deserves.

Chisorah-Haye: Undercard fighters announced!

Liam 'Beefy' Smith.

Three top British fighters have already been confirmed to fight on the undercard of the controversial bout between David Haye and Dereck Chisora on July 14th. These men are Frankie Gavin, Matthew Hall.

It was confirmed at the press conference that all three of these fighters will involved in a title bout at Upton Park next month. Gavin will be competing against an un-named opponent for the WBO European title. Hall is not contesting for such a big title but he is fighting a very talented, young German prospect named Jack Culcay. The title on the line is the WBA international light-middleweight title.

Probably the most known fighter on the undercard of the show is exciting undefeated Commonwealth champ Liam Smith. He takes on Frenchman Sebastian Cornu for the WBO European super-featherweight title.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me to showcase my talent on the biggest show of the year, in front of a massive crowd, live on BoxNation, it’s just a dream for me and I can’t wait for it," said Walsh.


And, don't forget, there is also one other very big fight that poses as chief-support on July 14th. Alexander Povetkin Vs Hasim Rahman for the WBA world heavyweight title. There have been rumours that the winner of this match-up will go on to face the winner of Haye Vs Chisora later this year. 


Also announced at the press conference was the tie-up between BoxNation and venerated charity Nordoff Robins. BoxNation confirmed that it will be making charitable donations to the charity and there will also be a charitable collection at the show at Upton Park on July 14th.

Interview with Peter Fury

This weeks interview is with Tyson Fury's trainer

and uncle Peter Fury...

Peter Fury's star men: Hughie and Tyson Fury.

Your nephew looked great in his last fight looked great in his last fight against Martin Rogan... How much input did you give to his new style?

100%. I did the nutrition, strength, conditioning my self. Changed many things, how to mentally prepare and work to a game plan, this in previous bouts had been missing? Defence, foot work and boxing with his natural advantages, being patient, and above all telling him if he listens and does exactly what we have prepared for, then all is good!
A big factor was not having any concerns of going the distance at any pace! He's in super shape, and only now concentrates on the Boxing aspect of the fight. 

How are things going in the Fury camp right now?

Things in the camp are fine, were all happy, working on a lot of small things to get right, and focussed! For me its easy he's my nephew, just like my son, he respects me as he knows what I say works for him, And I respect him also as he's a very nice person to be around. And above all he listens!!

How much are you enjoying being Tyson's head coach?

I enjoy the challenge of head coach, althoe I don't see it as that, as much as protecting him and giving him every advantage possible, I'm passionate in my work for excellence, were not their yet!

Is there anyone particular that you would like Tyson to fight next?

Tysons next opponent for me needs to be a good test as we want learning fights in preparation for the big fights out their, he's 18+0. And now needs to step up in class to the next level. Padding some ones record so it looks good to make the promoters money is not what were about, or Tyson s promoter Mick Hennessy, we all appreciate the need for quality other than quantity!

What did you change about the way Tyson used to be trained that made such a huge improvement in a short space of time?

The changes was dramatic, his diet, sparring, mental state, balance, footwork, defence, patience and professionalism and sheer bloody hard work in the gym 6 days 2 times a day total 4 hours per day. 

How long do you think it will be until Tyson will be ready for a Klitschko?

The younger klichko has learned and honed his skills very well, I'm a big fan of both of them for how they portray Boxing around the world. These are seasoned world champions and the best out their by far. I would say Tysons 4 to 5 fights away. Late next year Tyson will be ready for such a challenge, he could fight one of them now, but we are not interested in a challenge, but to win the world title!

There were recently rumours of a fight between Tyson and Alexander Povetkin but it now looks like this isn't going to happen... What happened?

Povetkins management are hard work full stop. Their Team are not interested in Tyson fury.

Are you currently training anyone else as well as Tyson? If so, who are they? And how much potential do you think they have?

I train my son who's just won the junior ABAs few weeks ago, he's also a national uk champion at 2 weight divisions and beat the best out their for his current position. He's. 6ft 6. And also H.W. 17yrs old, he's now Boxing for England team in Tri nations 14th june. He's aim is getting a medal in 2016 Olympics then pro. 
I have my other nephew phil fury, he's had 13 W 10. L3. 
This is 1st time he's been in my camp, I'm putting him out at welter, where as in all his previous bouts he's been light heavy and middle weight. 
I give advice to other fighters as well.

What are Team Fury's aims and objectives for the future?

Aims for future, take every fight as it comes, learn from it and move to next one. Perfect what I see as the perfect fighter and look forward to being part of it. 

And finally, a question from one of our fans.. What do you think of Haye Vs Chisora and who do you think will win?

Chisora V Haye? Haye's a world class operator clever Boxer with explosive power! People speak of the klichko fight and see him as the toe excuse. I'm no fan of the way haye behaved in the biuld up. But he thought it would get under their skin, instead it backfired all round. 
Hayes a good fighter, chisora, good, pressure fighter, but no real power? I pick Mr Haye. 

Dereck Chisora: "Maybe I'll run around the streets naked"

British heavyweight Dereck Chisora has surprisingly become a big hit 
with the fans and local reporters in Moscow after participating in a 
press conference with Roy Jones Jr and Kostya Tsyzu. 

'Delboy' is in Moscow to attend the WBA cruiserweight title fight 
between champion Denis Lebedev and and Shawn Cox. The fight is set to 
take place on April 4th at Crocus City Arena. 

When the intrigued reporters asked Chisora how he intended to spend his 
time in the country, he answered with a statement that drew a lot of laughter the local fans and journalists. 

"What do you want to see? Maybe I'll run around the streets naked. If you want to see it, I'll do it. I'm a fun person," said Chisora. 

WBA Champ Povetkin

Chisora has always been wild, crazy and controversial, everyone knows 
about his antics before and after his world heavyweight title clash 
with Vitali Klitschko. He once even kissed his opponent on the lips 
during the face-off at their weigh-in and bit another opponents ear during one of the earlier fights in his career. 

Chisora has announced that he is going to hit the gym next month due to 
the fact there have been talks of a title fight between WBA 'regular' heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin and himself. 

He spoke with 
local promoter/ manager Vlladimir Hyrunov about a possible fight but 
has said that he is not entirely focused on having this fight in the 
fall as he wants to get his career back on track first. 

“My next competition is with myself, because I need to lose weight. I’m 
going to be in the gym for the next month and a half. The Cannes film 
festival is on, so I can’t go looking like this," said Chisora.