Boxing News Boxing News
Making his maiden defense of the WBA heavyweight title, Russia’s Alexander Povetkin will face American veteran Cedric Boswell this evening at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland.
The long matriculation of 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Povetkin, 22-0 (15), finally came to an end this past August when the 32 year old Chekhov based stylist outpointed former WBA belt holder Ruslan Chagaev to capture the vacant WBA crown.
42 year old challenger Boswell, 35-1 (26), brings an eight year unbeaten streak into Helsinki and will be fighting in his first world title bout.
While Boswell’s won-loss record looks very impressive and the Atlanta man comes into the contest with the NABA and WBC Latino belts around his waist, his resume of opponents doesn’t contain many recognizable names.
Only former contender Jameel McCline, who stopped Boswell in 2003 and ex-WBC champion Oliver McCall, who was 45 when outpointed by Boswell earlier this year, carry any kind of merit as far as Boswell stepping up to world level this evening against Povetkin.
This is probably seen as a safety-first defense for Team Povetkin as they look for a good experience building victory prior to perhaps finally taking part in a long awaited challenge to multi-titlist Wladimir Klitschko.
However, Boswell has very fast hands and quick reactions of defense, which could be difficult for the patient and steady Povetkin to solve.
Povetkin must work behind the jab and set up his punches without any lapses that could allow Boswell to put his faster handspeed to good advantage.
The undercard sees the top heavyweight prospect in the world, Robert Helenius, 16-0 (11), facing ex-British champion Dereck Chisora, 15-1 (9), for the vacant European belt as well as the WBO/WBA Intercontinental titles.
Helenius has faced far better competition than Chisora leading up to this point as the towering Finn has stopped former world champions Sam Peter, Lamon Brewster and Siarhei Liakhovich over the last two years.
Chisora has nothing on his CV to compare, with the high points consisting of a defeat over a faded Danny Williams and a wide points loss against Tyson Fury.
Helenius uses his height well and is very patient in setting up compact combinations which carry a lot of power when they land. Chisora possesses a lumbering, clinching style that is unlikely to upset the apple cart on his opponent’s homeground.
WBC/WBA/WBO Women’s welter champion Cecilia Braekhus, 18-0 (4), puts her belts on the line against American southpaw KuuleiKuplei, 7-1 (2).
