Povetkin-Boswell Official For Dec. 3rd, Helenius To Face TBA On Card

By James Slater: It’s official: WBA heavyweight titlist Alexander Povetkin, 22-0(15) will make the first defence of his “regular” belt against 42-year-old veteran Cedric Boswell in Finland, Denmark on December 3rd. Dan Rafael of ESPN.com also reports that unbeaten heavyweight contender Robert Helenius, who hails from Denmark, will face a TBA on the card.

As fans may know, ancient former four-time heavyweight ruler Evander Holyfield was originally thought to be the frontrunner when it came to being Povetkin’s first title challenger, but Boswell, a long-serving contender, got the offer instead. Many fans may moan and groan at the Dec. 3rd fight, seeing how “The Boz” is so old. But Boswell is a relatively fresh 42-year-old (certainly less worn than “The Real Deal”) and he is as hungry as can be.

“My entire life I have been waiting for this moment,” Boswell said to ESPN.com. “ Povetkin is a good kind but he is a kid and he will be in trouble once we are in the ring. I have the experience and the strength to beat him.”

Clearly, Boswell, 35-1(26) feels his age and time spent in the ring are advantages, not disadvantages. And he may well be right. Beaten just once – by Jameel McCline way, way back in 2003 – Boswell knows plenty of tricks, he hits with at least respectable power and he has a good chin. In my mind, it would not be a massive upset if the belt changed hands on December 3rd.

It will be interesting to see who Helenius, 16-0(11) winds up facing. There have been suggestions the Fin could face once-beaten contender Alexander Dimitrenko, though nothing is official. A number of fans are excited about Helenius and his punching power. The big man who, with his long hair and sideburns looks like he has stepped right out of a 1970s movie, has scored a couple of notable and impressive KO’s – over Sam Peter and, last time out, Serhei Liakhovich.

Some fans have gone as far as to suggest “The Nordic Nightmare” is the only real challenger out there for the Klitschkos at this time. If he keeps on winning – in KO-impressive style especially – Helenius will surely get his big chance.

Promoter Kalle Sauerland is promising “a true night of heavyweight explosions.” If Helenius gets a top name in the ring with him, and if Boswell fights as hard as he can, the promoter of the event could be proved right.

I’m going out on a limb and predicting a points win for Boswell.