Breaking News: Povetkin injured

[WelshDevilRob]

Povetkin injured!
Klitschko-Povetkin delayed to early 2009

"Alexander Povetkin has suffered a training injury, leaving him unable to challenge IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko as scheduled on December 13th," Sauerland Event attorney Scott Shaffer informed Fightnews.com by email. Povetkin is the IBF's #1 heavyweight contender. According Shaffer, the Russian gold medalist was running in the woods in his hometown of Kursk when he tripped over a tree root and injured his left foot. Povetkin was examined by a local doctor and then immediately referred to Dr. Sergey Aschipov, Ph.D., a sports injury specialist in Moscow who frequently treats Russian Olympic team members. Although Dr. Aschipov's full diagnosis is not expected until Monday, an MRI was conducted revealing that Povetkin suffered a partially torn ligament in his left foot. The injury will leave him unable to train until the end of November. He is currently wearing a brace on his left foot and is awaiting the doctor's final diagnosis and advice on the appropriate physical therapy.

[WelshDevilRob]

Foot injury forces Povetkin to withdraw from heavyweight title bout vs. Klitschko

By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com

Unified heavyweight titleholder Wladimir Klitschko is in the market for a new opponent after mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin suffered a foot injury, forcing his withdrawal from their upcoming fight, Klitschko adviser Shelly Finkel told ESPN.com Saturday.

Klitschko (51-3, 45 KOs) was scheduled to defend his belts against Povetkin on Dec. 13 at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany, on HBO, but Finkel said he was notified by Sauerland Event promoter Chris Meyer on Saturday morning that Povetkin's injury, suffered Thursday or Friday, would prevent him from fighting.

While doing roadwork in his native Russia, Povetkin tripped over a tree root and tore a ligament in his left foot, according to Scott Shaffer, a Sauerland attorney.

"The doctor told him he can't train until the end of November, which makes it impossible for him to be in a fight on Dec. 13," Shaffer said. "We're optimistic he will be ready to fight early next year and we're hopeful we can work something out where he fights Wladimir Klitschko early next year."

Povetkin (16-0, 12 KOs), the 29-year-old 2004 Russian Olympic gold medalist, won two fights in the IBF's tournament to earn his mandatory status, stopping former titlist Chris Byrd in 11 rounds last October and then outpointing Eddie Chambers in the final in January. He took one tune-up fight against Taurus Sykes and knocked him out in the fourth round in July before the fight with Klitschko was signed.

Now, Povetkin will have to wait. Finkel said Klitschko intends to keep the Dec. 13 date and defend his title against somebody else.

"Wladimir is going to fight," Finkel said. "We'll go down the rankings and try to find a suitable replacement. We'll explore all of our options."

The leading IBF contenders after Povetkin include Alexander Dimitrenko and Cristobal Arreola, both of whom have bouts scheduled, so it is unclear if either would withdraw to fight Klitschko. Beyond them are former champions Oleg Maskaev and Hasim Rahman, neither of whom are scheduled to fight and could be candidates.

[killersheep]

Wow that sucks. I was actually looking forward to this. All that work getting through the "tournament" lost to a extranious tree root.

[piye]

That's a shame this could be a good fight.

[WelshDevilRob]

Sounds like Wladimir plans to still fight on the December date.

Wonder who is available? Gomez maybe?

[Taeth]

Tripped over a ROOT? A ROOT? Do they not have sidewalks where he trains? If a tree root can do that to him he's lucky he hasn't tasted Wlad's right hand. J/k he's a good fighter, just the wrong style to beat Wlad(unless that chin acts up).

[CutMeMick]

Damn! it!

[CutMeMick]

How about Ruslan?
Isn't he fit and ready now.

Why not Danny Williams?
I'm sure it would make for an interesting fight.

Golota, Boswell, Samil Sam would also be good.

[intoccabile]

Gomez wouldn't hurt.
Since his brother won't fight'em.

[CutMeMick]

Gomez just fought I don't think he'd have enough time to prepare to fight in Dec.

[TigerFan]

This sucks Glad to hear Klitschko is still going to fight. Hopefully they find a suitable opponent. Valuev's available in December isn't he? He has a voluntary defense and hasn't found an opponent yet.

[Tam Seddon]

I think Danny Williams deserves a last crack at a belt. I really hope he could get it!

[WelshDevilRob]

Gomez just fought I don't think he'd have enough time to prepare to fight in Dec.

He's been calling Wladimir out and is based in Germany so shouldn't be too difficult to make.

I think Gomez would jump at the chance. Would be a very worthy opponent aswell. I think he'd win.

[Kel]

This sucks Glad to hear Klitschko is still going to fight. Hopefully they find a suitable opponent. Valuev's available in December isn't he? He has a voluntary defense and hasn't found an opponent yet.

I REALLY want one of the Klits to fight Valuev. I wanna hear what a 23 stone guy sounds like hitting the canvas.

[ICB]

This sucks Glad to hear Klitschko is still going to fight. Hopefully they find a suitable opponent. Valuev's available in December isn't he? He has a voluntary defense and hasn't found an opponent yet.

I REALLY want one of the Klits to fight Valuev. I wanna hear what a 23 stone guy sounds like hitting the canvas.

There won't be a ring left.