Divergent Paths For Heavyweights Alexander Povetkin, Hasim Rahman

It has been almost a week since the Russian Alexander Povetkin successfully blasted out former undisputed Heavyweight Hasim Rahman of the United States to retain the WBA “Regular” title in just two rounds at the Sporthalle in Hamburg, Germany.

The questions are: what did we learn from this fight and what is next for the fighters?

It was the first fight that Povetkin has had with his new trainer, former undisputed Light-Welterweight world champ and Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu since firing Teddy Atlas.

In this bout, Povetkin looked leaner and more muscular at his weight of 229lbs [16 stone 5lbs] as well as being lighter and quicker on his feet, able to get in and out before the older and heavier Rahman had a chance to effectively counter.

Povetkin also dictated the fight from centre ring, using his jab and and even rocking Rahman with it. He also seems to benefit from having a Russian speaker, Tszyu, in his corner, giving calmer and incisive instructions rather than getting bawled out by the American Atlas.

In the second round, Povetkin displayed strong aggression after rocking Rahman, forcing the veteran to cover up in the ropes, but bulldozed with his head rather than taking his time in picking off the helpless Rahman, who was at one point holding himself up with one arm on the ropes, as he sagged like a discarded teddy bear.

It was a scrappy and untidy stoppage from referee Gustavo Padilla and one that this writer feels should have occurred earlier when Rahman was sent reeling back in no state to defend himself as Povetkin switched effectively to the body.

Given more time working with Tszyu, Povetkin’s bull rushing shall be reduced and the switches to the body will occur more often.

From Rahman, we learned nothing, except that he was flat footed, slow and looked every sinew of his 39 years with no remaining punch resistance.

This writer is left with the feeling that it is time for Rahman to call it a day before one of the young lions, perhaps in the shape of fellow American Seth Mitchell, and Britain’s two towering heavyweights, David Price and Tyson Fury, inflict severe and potentially permanent damage on the man they call “The Rock”.

As for what happens next for Povetkin and Rahman, well, the answers are obvious. It is now time for Povetkin to step up and face the Klitschko brothers, who sit imperiously at the top of the heavyweight division pile like pugilistic Emperors, but the question remains which one?

Will it be Vitali, if he does not succeed in getting elected to the much-targeted seat in the Ukrainian parliament later this month, or Wladimir, should he get past the giant Pole Mariusz Wach in his forthcoming fight.

It won’t be until early 2013 when we receive the answer for Povetkin, although trainer Tszyu is determined to see his new charge face the Klitschko dominance and thankfully Povetkin’s German promoter, Team Sauerland, are singing the same tune as well.

For Rahman, the future is decidedly grim. At 39, this was most definitely his last chance at a world title, and on the world stage he showed that he is a fighter who is shot to pieces and needs to hang the gloves up or risk being thrown to the young lions of the Heavyweight division with potentially disastrous consequences.