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Alexander Povetkin is just two wins away from challenging world champion Wladimir Klitschko after the IBF has launched an elimination tournament to determine the Ukrainian´s next mandatory challenger.
The 2004 Olympic gold medal winner, unbeaten in 13 professional bouts, joins fourth-ranked Calvin Brock, former champion Chris Byrd and Eddie Chambers in the competition. Povetkin will be in for a meeting with Byrd, while Brock comes face-to-face with Chambers. The two winners will then fight for the right to challenge Klitschko.
“This are great news,” Povetkin´s co-manager Kalle Sauerland stated. “This is the chance Alexander has been waiting for. We have no doubts he will prevail in this interesting tournament.”
Povetkin (13-0, 9 KOs) comes off a lopsided points victory over American veteran Larry Donald, who failed to win a single round in their meeting in Moscow. Sauerland has no doubts there are even better things ahead for the 27-year-old star. “Alexander will be the world champion soon. The Klitschko hunt has officially started. Just two wins and he can´t hide anymore.”
No dates have been confirmed yet, but Sauerland stated he will try “everything possible” to bring the fight to Germany.
