The upcoming clash between WBA and IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua and WBO ruler Joseph Parker is intriguing enough – but for fans to really feel the urge to part with some pay-per-view cash a solid under-card may be needed. It seems Eddie Hearn is trying to provide one.
Alexander Povetkin
Results: Povetkin defeats Hammer
Former WBA heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (33-1, 23 KOs) had an easy time defeating contender Christian Hammer (22-5, 12 KOs) by a 12 round unanimous decision on Friday night in a WBA heavyweight title eliminator at the DIVS, Ekaterinburg, Russia.
The scores 120-107, 120-108 and 118-108. Boxing 247 had Povetkin winning 12 rounds to 0. Hammer looked terrible. As bad as Hammer looked, it’s hard to believe he was ranked in the top 15 at all.
Joshua vs Povetkin fight could be closer than you may think
Might we see an Anthony Joshua-Alexander Povetkin fight next year some time? This particular match-up, one that seemed to have virtually no chance of happening a while back, in light of the Russian star’s failed drugs test, could be closer than you may think.
As Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn explained to Sky Sports, he will be having a meeting with WBA president Gilberto Mendoza soon, and one of the topics for conversation will be AJ’s new WBA mandatory challenger. Luis Ortiz may be back in business with the WBC, but he is still no longer the WBA mandatory. Hearn is waiting to see who will take “King Kong’s” place:
WBC’s final ruling on Alexander Povetkin
The WBC’s March 2, 2017 ruling (the “Ruling”): (1) suspended Mr. Alexander Povetkin from participating in any WBC-sanctioned bouts indefinitely; (2) imposed a $250,000 USD fine; and (3) designed a testing protocol for Mr. Povetkin to commence as soon as feasible after the Ruling, which would continue for one year thereafter.
Alexander Povetkin’s WBC suspension lifted; former champ must pay $250,000 fine
It seems former WBA heavyweight champ Alexander Povetkin is right back in business. Though the Russian star was “indefinitely suspended” by the WBC after testing positive for an illegal substance (Ostarine) ahead of his December 2016 fight with Bermane Stiverne, he has now seen his suspension lifted.
Alexander Povetkin-Christian Hammer: Who wins?
Alexander Povetkin will return to action in his native Russia on December 15, and it’s no secret his opponent is likely to be Romanian-born German-based contender Christian Hammer. This match-up (up on BoxRec and already having been discussed on a number of boxing web sites) is not yet official but seems likely.
And a good match-up it is. Povetkin, having been plagued by failed drugs tests (seeing a huge fight with WBC heavyweight boss Deontay Wilder fall apart as the result of a failed test on the part of the Russian star) needs to get his career moving. At age 38, the former WBA champ has no more time to waste. Last seeing action in July when he improved to 32-1(23) with a wide decision victory over Andriy Rudenko, Povetkin figures to get a stiffer test against Hammer, 22-4(12).
Results: Povetkin defeats Rudenko
Alexander Povetkin (32-1, 23 KOs) rather easily defeated a very fragile looking fringe contender Andriy Rudenko (31-3, 19 KOs) by 12 round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Luzhniki Concert Hall in Moscow, Russia. The fight was almost stopped in the 1st round after Povetkin appeared to injure Rudenko and his neck with a rabbit shot.
Does Alexander Povetkin deserve a shot at Anthony Joshua?
Russian star and former heavyweight belt holder Alexander Povetkin is back in action tonight, in his first fight of this year; his second fight since failing two pre-fight drugs tests.
The 37 year old faces durable Andriy Rodenko and Povetkin has told Russian media how he hopes for a shot at Anthony Joshua, the current WBA/IBF heavyweight ruler. Povetkin says he is in no way looking past Rodenko, but that he has his eyes firmly on the unbeaten AJ.
Povetkin vs Rudenko on 7/1 – BoxNation
Former WBA Heavyweight Champion ALEXANDER POVETKIN, (31-1-0, 23 KO’s) and top contender ANDRIY RUDENKO, (31-2-0, 19 KO’s), worked out for the media today in Moscow, Russia ahead of their showdown this Sunday, July 1 at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.
The bout is being contested for the WBO International Heavyweight Title and the WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title. POVETKIN vs. RUDENKO is presented by World of Boxing will be telecast in the United Kingdom by BoxNation.
Povetkin battles Rudenko on 7/1 in Moscow, Russia
Former WBA Heavyweight Champion ALEXANDER POVETKIN, (31-1-0, 23 KO’s), is making every effort to become a world champion leading up to his July 1 fight with ANDRIY RUDENKO, (31-2-0, 19 KO’s), in Moscow, Russia for the WBO International Heavyweight Title.