By Alexey Sukachev / Photos by Sergey Sinyakin (RPBF), April, 10, 2007

Last Wednesday was marked as a special day for the entire Povetkin family. An open workout was held in Povetkins’ hometown of Chekhov, seventy kilometers south to Moscow, with both Alexander and Vladimir taking their part in. The fighting brothers, trying to become the double-powered force in the nearest future, showed their improving skills in impressive fashion to the Russian media in attendance.     

Vladimir Povetkin, 1-0, younger brother of the Athens 2004 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist, revealed clearly less ring rust as in his pro debut on March, 3, versus Congolese veteran Mayala Mbungi. Vladimir spent four rounds in the squared ring, giving a boxing lesson to Egyptian Hosem El Howly. The younger Povetkin was such strong and determined that his senior coach Valery Ivanovich Belov was forced to stop the action several times only to save the Egyptian from the further punishment.

“He is making a huge progress in boxing technique and fighting ability, but certainly Vladimir has a huge way to go”, said Alexander Povetkin about his brother. “He wasn’t hundred percent ready for his pro debut, but the second bout will surely be of different kind”.

“I haven’t boxed for seven years since finishing my amateur career. Too much rust to look sensational in the very first fight. Especially in pro boxing which is like another sport compared to amateur competitions”, explained Vladimir. “The debut is always difficult, twice as difficult when you’re watched on TV by the fans from the whole country. Sasha struggled a lot during the start of his career, and so do I. I was extremely nervous and looked amateurish in Mbungi fight. And my foe had much more experience which didn’t inspire me as well”.

Valery Belov said, “They [Alexander and Vladimir] are both small for their weight divisions and both extremely liquid. They do like working inside, trading punches with their opponents in impressive fashion. Vladimir has to learn it all, of course. He is sometimes too poised to finish his rival with the hard single punch, what is ineffectively affecting his boxing skills. He needs to be a little bit more relaxed in the ring”.

Summarizing thoughts and feelings was Povetkins’ manager and co-promoter Vladimir Hrunov, “Vladimir has a lot work to do, but we really believe in him. He is too small for 175 lbs right now. Hence, we are planning to stage a few more fights for him in light heavyweight and then, to the end of the year, we will try to move down to 168 lbs”.  

Alexander Povetkin, 11-0, 9 KOs, prepares for his next outing on May, 5, in Germany as well. Country’s heavyweight hope and the only Russian ever to capture Olympic golden medal in super heavyweight division is coming off an early stoppage of credible American David Bostice this March. Povetkin is already rated 16th by the WBC, and Vladimir Hrunov plans to bring him a title shot at the end of the year or in the first half of 2008.

Alexander used to stand no less than eight rounds with his sparring partners in his efforts to build up his physical strength. The desirable target may be in reach as the elder of Povetkin brothers showed great confidence and determination during his open training sessions. Both Povetkin and Belov are confident in reaching a tip-top shape prior their flight to Germany on April, 22, where both boxers and their coach tend to stage the final part of their preparation.

“To tell the truth, I’m shaping myself for the ten-rounder”, declared Alexander. “That’s, however, only a matter of time when I’ll be ready to fight a full twelve-round distance in same tempo”.

There are no foreign fighters to stand in with Alexander during his Chekhov camp but they will certainly appear here or in Germany closer to the date of the fight. The future opponent is still to be announced. There were talks about the “green light – red light” showdown with fellow prospect JD Chapman, who had boldly predicted his easy win over former Olympian. Rumors are also circulating that Danny Williams can step inside the ring with Povetkin on May, 5. No official announcement had been made as of date though.

Special thanks to Sergey Sinyakin from the official site of RPBF.