23.09.06 – By Izyaslav “Slava” Koza: Working calmly and effectively Russian prospect Alexander Povetkin had no trouble in dispatching aging vet Ed Mahone. Povetkin won every round as well as hurt Mahone in every round, while mostly staying calm and composed throughout. Mahone landed perhaps three decent punches throughout the bout and had no opportunities to hurt the young Russian.. In the fifth round Povetkin hurt Mahone much like in all the other rounds but this time had enough time to expand some energy to land the necessary punches. Though Mahone was able to come out from under the assault with a desperation clinch it was obvious he was hurt.
Povetkin, however, sensing he had expanded energy did not rush to overexert himself and went back to boxing. Later in the round a pair of clean and cleaner rights drove Mahone into the ropes where the referee, correctly took the prerogative to stop the bout since Mahone had been hurt for the sixth or seventh time in the bout.
Speaking objectively, it was obvious that the work with Al Cole regarding clinching paid off as Povetkin was able to push off and work out of clinches well throughout the bout. Povetkin worked well with most of his punches, never throwing more then necessary, but taking command of the bout early and forcing Mahone to the corner where the left hook, as stated in the training summary provided earlier worked well. Povetkin’s guard did not allow Mahone to work to the head, and Ed did not seem willing to the go to the body at all, which perhaps due to his disadvantage in handspeed might not have worked.
The only negative aspect might be the need to work on stamina which is still what Povetkin lacks in order to become professional elite fighter. While he paced himself well and showed experience in this sense, there are other fighters who will know how to exploit this sort of patience and composure.
As far as the future, I feel it would be important to progress against less dangerous opposition but working into deeper 10 and 12 round territory. For the short term and in terms of ability and composure Povetkin is ready for most opponents so the focus seems to need to shift to longer bouts.
ESB congratulates Alexander Povetkin on a great win!