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).