By Jason Kim: Kalle Sauerland, the promoter for WBA World heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (24-0, 16 KO’s), is saying that the 32-year-old Povetkin could finally face IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in early 2013 if Povetkin can successfully defend his title against 39-year-old Hasim Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KO’s) next month on September 29th at the Sporthalle, Alsterdorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Sauerland told Sportbox.ru as quoted by allboxing.ru, “At the beginning next year Klitschko and Povetkin there could be a mandatory title defense.”

Again, this all hinges on Povetkin getting past Rahman next month. It also depends on Wladimir winning his next fight against contender Mariusz Wach in November.

Povetkin had the chance to fight Wladimir in the past, but he chose not to take the fight for some reason. It’s interesting that Povetkin will finally be taking on Wladimir now, because Povetkin looks to be getting worse rather than improving. In the past it was thought that Povetkin didn’t want to fight Wladimir because he needed to improve before he could take the fight. However, at 32 Povetkin is going to have to take that big payday fight soon before he loses when Povetkin finally faces his first quality contender. Povetkin is very vulnerable as we saw in his close win over cruiserweight Marco Huck last February.

Povetkin won’t lose anything by getting beaten by Wladimir, because the 6’6″ Ukrainian is considered to be the best heavyweight in the division right now and there’s no shame in getting beaten by a guy like that. If Povetkin losses to Wladimir, he can always work his way back into another title belt by taking on some of the contenders and picking up a strap. Povetkin will never Wladimir or his brother Vitali, but he’s good enough to beat most of the top contenders. There’s a few that would likely beat Povetkin if given the chance, but not a lot.