A date is finally set between IBF, WBO and IBO Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko (54-3, 48 KOs) and IBR and WBO #1 rated Russian contender Alexander Povetkin (19-0, 14 KOs) on September 11 at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, Germany.
Alexander Povetkin is the mandatory challenger to Klitschko’s title and is trained by famed heavyweight trainer Teddy Atlas. He is dubbed “The White Lion,” and has sported recent wins over heavyweights Chris Byrd as well as championship challengers Eddie Chambers and Ed Mahone. “I had to wait pretty long for this chance and will now get Klitschko’s belts. Right now, I am training in the US with ten sparring partners, among them former world champions. This is the biggest fight of my career and I will be better prepared than ever before. Now it is my time, I am the future of the heavyweight division,” said Povetkin.
This will be Wladimir Klitschko’s 18th world championship fight as the Ukrainian powerhouse continues his winning ways. In his last bout in March, 34-year-old Klitschko defeated Eddie Chambers with a spectacular knockout in round 12 in Düsseldorf, Germany, in front of a sold-out crowd of 51,000. The 1996 Olympic gold medalist had this to say about his opponent, “Alexander Povetkin is a very strong opponent. We are both Olympic Champions, which stands for itself. It will be a very tough fight, but I have no doubt that I will keep my titles. In the beginning of my career, I fought in Frankfurt twice and won. Now, I am looking forward to fighting in this fantastic stadium in front of a great audience.”
