By John F. McKenna (McJack): World Boxing Association (WBA) “regular” heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (24-0, 16 KO’s) is one of a growing list of fighters who has opted not to fight WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KO’s). Tyson Fury, Robert Helenius. David Price and Chris Arreola have at various times acknowledged that they are not yet ready to take on the talented and dominating heavyweight champion.

In the summer of 2009 Povetkin failed to show up at a press conference which was designed to hype a match with Wladimir. Alexander cited injury as the reason he bailed out of that contest. His American trainer Teddy Atlas later revealed the truth. Atlas pulled the plug on the fight because he felt that Povetkin was not yet ready and needed more seasoning before taking on Klitschko.

Three years have come and gone and Alexander appears no more ready to fight Wladimir than he was in 2009. So the obvious question boxing pundits are asking is will Povetkin ever be ready to take on Wladimir Klitschko?

What is presently going on in the heavyweight division of boxing is a relatively new phenomenon. The heavyweight championship of the world was formerly looked at as the richest and most prestigious prize in sports and heavyweight contenders would jump at the opportunity to fight for the title. Not so anymore. In fact when “Dr. Steelhammer” defeated David Haye claiming his WBA title belt, the WBA promptly elevated Wladimir to the status of WBA super heavyweight champion. This allowed Povetkin to claim the “regular” WBA heavyweight title by defeating Rusian Chagaev last August. So in essence Alexander has a piece of the heavyweight crown without having to risk his neck by fighting Wladimir.

There is a long line of heavyweight champions who seemingly risked everything to fight for the heavyweight title. Jack Dempsey was only 24 when he took on the seemingly unbeatable Jess Willard in 1919. Willard had in fact already killed an opponent in the ring with his ponderous right hand. Willard at 6’6” and 245 pounds was roughly equivalent in size to the Klitscko’s.

Joe Louis was 23 when he KO’d the “Cinderella Man” Jimmy Braddock in 1937.
Braddock had proved his mettle a year earlier by outpointing Max Baer, one of the hardest punchers in heavyweight history.

Floyd Patterson was 21 and seemingly overmatched when he KO’d Archie Moore in the 5th round in 1956. Cassisus Clay (soon toe be Muhammad Ali) was 22 years old when he stopped the murderous punching Sonny Liston in 1964.

The point is that these great champions from the past did not fear putting everything on the line to achieve their objective, the objective of winning the heavyweight championship of the world.