By Dan Ambrose: Unbeaten challenger Alexander Povetkin (19-0, 14 KO’s) is already in the United States training with ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas for Povetkin’s September 18th title bout against IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (54-3, 48 KO’s) at the Commerzbank-Arena, in Frankfurt, Gemany.

This is going to be the toughest fight of Povetkin’s career, as he’s taking on the fighter that many people consider to be the best in the heavyweight division right now. Povetkin, only 6’2”, will be giving up 4 ½” inches to the 6’6 ½” Wladimir and will have to try and find a way to deal with the taller Klitschko’s height and reach advantage.

While Povetkin is at it, he’s also going to have to figure out a way handle Wladimir’s speed and power advantage as well. That is going to be tough, because Povetkin won’t have much going for him in this fight other than heart and possibly the better stamina.

This fight matches up two former Olympic Gold Medalists. Wladimir, 34, captured the Gold Medal in the Super heavyweight division in the 1996 Olympics while fighting for the Ukrainian Olympic team, whereas Povetkin captured the Gold Medal in the heavyweight division in the 2004 Olympics while a member of the Russian Olympic squad. At 6’2”, Povetkin is a medium sized heavyweight taking on one of the biggest heavyweights in the division.

Povetkin will have to try and get close enough to land his hard shots but without getting hit too much while on the way in. Wladimir tends to fight tall, and to use his jab to keep his opponents on the outside.

When they do invariably make it past Wladimir’s jab, they have to deal with his left hooks and right hands. If that still doesn’t stop them, then they’re often grabbed by Wladimir in a tight clinch and unable to get off more than one or two shots.

That’s the problem with fighting Wladimir. His height and reach is a big obstacle for his shorter opponents. He hits too hard to just rush blindly, because he has better power than the majority of his opponents.

Atlas will likely be training Povetkin to stay low, to get under Wladimir’s jab and to get near enough to get his shots in fast before Wladimir ties him up. It won’t be easy. Povetkin has to be fast and must keep Wladimir from grabbing him.

Atlas is an expert, and likely has number of strategies to foil Wladimir’s clinching. Whether Povetkin will have any success is debatable. He hasn’t fought a top fighter in the heavyweight division for two years since winning the IBF heavyweight elimination tourney in 2008. Povetkin has been fighting strictly 2nd tier heavyweights since then while awaiting his turn to challenge for the heavyweight title.

Povetkin will be making $2 million for his title challenge against Wladimir, which is by far the biggest payday of Povetkin’s career. If Povetkin loses the fight, he needs to start fighting more often and preferably against top contenders so that he can get another shot at a title again before he starts aging and losing his ability. An ideal heavyweight champion for Povetkin to go after next would be WBA title holder David Haye, who is a lot shorter than Wladimir at only 6’2″ and has shaky chin.