By James Slater: Undefeated heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin, 19-0(14) returns to action in Germany on October 30th, against a TBA. The Teddy Atlas-trained 31-year-old decided, along with Atlas, that he was still not ready for a challenge of heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko, and he withdrew from the September 11th date that subsequently went to former World Boxing Council champ Sam Peter.
Despite having earned his shot at “Dr Steel Hammer” many months ago, with a points win over “Fast” Eddie Chambers (in a Jan. 2008 fight that was an official IBF eliminator), the former Olympian and all-round great amateur feels he needs further seasoning before going for the title. Klitschko was somewhat dismayed when the intriguing fight fell through, but Atlas did what he thinks is best for his fighter. So, on the under-card of Sebastian Sylvester defending his IBF middleweight title against Mahir Oral in Rostock, Germany, Povetkin will have his first fight since his March stoppage of Javier Mora..
It will be interesting to see who Povtekin faces, and if his next opponent will be one he can learn more from facing. Maybe Povetkin will take a leaf out of Tomasz Adamek’s book and opt to fight a tall guy so as to further prepare for his eventual date with the 6’6.5” Klitschko. There are a few guys who would fit the bill, but is Povetkin as good as he’s ever likely to get, and will his chances of upsetting Wladimir remain the same no matter how many more “learning fights” he has along the way?
Of course, Povetkin has a considerable fan base and he is exciting to watch, title fight or not. If he does face a reasonable, known name on Oct 30th, his fans will tune in in big numbers. But is time running out on Povetkin and his big fight? Will he ever get it on with Klitschko? It really would be a shame if the Russian star lost his perfect record before even getting to Wladimir.
In other heavyweight news, Johnathon Banks, who gave us that hugely disappointing and boring affair with Jason Gavern last time out, will return to the ring on September 11th. Once again fighting in Germany and once again in a support bout to a Klitschko main event, the former cruiserweight title challenger will face Mexico’s Saul Montana on the under-card of Klitschko-Peter II.
Banks, 24-1-1(17), is still only 28, and he could yet make something of a splash as a heavyweight. However, the Detroit man will have to look far better than he did in that dull draw with Gavern if he’s to keep the fans at least a little interested. Against the 39-year-old Montana, a 51-15(45) fighter who has been halted some ten times, Banks SHOULD get himself a stoppage win. Montana, who has been mostly inactive as of late (just one fight in almost two years), can bang himself, though, so the action could be lively for a few rounds.