Wladimir Klitschko unhappy that Povetkin missed Monday’s press conference

By Boxing News - 07/19/2010 - Comments

By Dan Ambrose: IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (54-3, 48 KO’s) is angry that his unbeaten International Boxing Federation mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin (19-0, 14 KO’s) missed their press conference on Monday in Frankfurt, Germany. According to Fight News, Povetkin says he couldn’t make it because he was plagued with a sinus infection.

If Povetkin is still too ill by the time of their September 11th fight in Frankfurt, Germany, then the number #2 ranked IBF challenger Samuel Peter, would be the substitute opponent that would fill in for Povetkin. It’s been two years since the 30-year-old Povetkin earned his mandatory spot for the Klitschko fight after winning the IBF tournament.

It would be sad if Povetkin waited all that time but couldn’t make the fight because of an illness. In the past two years, Povetkin has picked up a new trainer in ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas, and has beaten a string of 2nd tier fighters.

Povetkin has looked good in beating them, but not well enough for fans and writers to give him much of a chance at beating the 34-year-old Klitschko. In his last fight, Povetkin stopped Javier Mora in the 5th round in March.
Klitschko had stopped his last four opponents Tony Thompson, Hasim Rahman, Ruslan Chagaev and Eddie Chambers.

The Povetkin-Klitschko fight has failed to interest HBO television executives in the United States, who have decided not to purchase the fight and show it to U.S. audiences. However, the fight will still likely be a huge hit in Germany, where Klitschko is a big star.

Klitschko is expecting for the fight to sell out the 54,000 seat stadium in Frankfurt on September 11th. Hopefully, Povetkin can make a better showing than Klitschko’s last opponent Eddie Chambers, who did next to nothing for 11 rounds before getting stopped by Wladimir in the 12th.



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