Alexander Povetkin vs. Christian Hammer - December 15, 2017

[Ruthless-RKO]

It is the biggest fight of his career On December 15, heavyweight Christian Hammer (26 fights, 22 wins, 4 losses) fights the Russian Alexander Povetkin (33 fights, 32 wins, 1 loss).

Two ranked WBO fighters meet with Povetkin and Hammer both high up in the latest ratings. The winner can hope for a title fight early next year against reigning World Champion Joseph Parker or the British superstar Anthony Joshua.

Hammer, who boxes from the EC Boxpromotion stable of promoter Erol Ceylan, recently celebrated victories against Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf, the undefeated Erkan Teper and British David Price.

Not least because of the impressive knockout win against Price in England, Ceylan is optimistic his man can win.

"Christian has performed extremely well since losing to Tyson Fury. Against Price, he has shown that even abroad he is a force to be reckoned with.

"With a win against Povetkin, he has his world title fight in the bag," he added.

The favorite role seems on paper to lie with Povetkin, though. The 38-year-old was able to prevail via points decision against Andriy Rudenko in his last contest.

Povetkin previously won against Johann Duhaupas and Mariusz Wach. Previously, his record shows victories over boxers like Manuel Charr, Marco Huck, Carlos Takam, Ruslan Chagaev and Mike Perez.

His only defeat was suffered against Wladimir Klitschko.

For Hammer, it's not a bad starting position for him and he hopes to show his potential.

"I do not mind that Povetkin is the favorite. On the contrary, plus even if he boxes in front of his fans the pressure is on him, as the pressure at that time was with David Price," said Hammer.

In February this year, Hammer knocked out Price (then 23 fights, 21 wins) in England sensationally in round seven.

"I feel great. I'm in the best shape of my career and want to have the world championship boxing match I deserve," said Hammer, who is currently in basic training in his native Romania.

The specialty and sparring sessions take place in the EC-Gym in Hamburg. Whether the battle is also seen in Germany is not currently clear yet.

[gilgamesh]

I got Povetkin by KO.

[TooMuch]

I got Povetkin by KO.

In a potential matchup with AJ, who wins?

[gilgamesh]

I got Povetkin by KO.

In a potential matchup with AJ, who wins?

Joshua by KO...I don't think anybody would even bother negotiating a major fight like that though with Povetkin anymore because there's no reason to believe the fight will take place without him failing a drug test.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I got Povetkin by KO.

Surely he's being tested.. If so, he'll take a decision.. Hammer doesn't have the power to slow down the likes of Povetkin..

[gilgamesh]

I got Povetkin by KO.

Surely he's being tested.. If so, he'll take a decision.. Hammer doesn't have the power to slow down the likes of Povetkin..

Nor the skill.

I think Povetkin stops Hammer PED's or no. Tyson Fury and Mariusz Wach both stopped Hammer, and neither is exactly noted for their punching power. Povetkin is a bigger hitter than either of those two.

[Ilya Muromets]

Good fight.

http://www.BS.com/alexander-po ... 15--121254

[Oiky]

Povetkin by KO

[BitPlayer]

Povetkin by KO.

But I hope Hammer shocks us all and gets the win.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Povetkin by KO.

But I hope Hammer shocks us all and gets the win.

Would be nice for a change surely.

[jamamb]

if povetkin became wbo mandatory, and parkers side was like 'well only fight you with testing' , would parker be stripped if he refused without testing. wbo doesnt have mandatory tests correct?

[funso banjo baby]

its a good matchup.

Hammer is ok

it'll be an ugly fight

[chinarich]

Zero interest. If they were fighting in my living room I'd turn out the light and go to bed...

[dagilechia]

Povetkin by KO until round 6

[Oiky]

Yea between 6-8 I think Povetkin will have him out of there

[Lackeos]

Very respectable match-up. I would have preferred to see Hammer continue winning and proving himself, rather than taking an L against one of the best heavyweights. But nevertheless, Povetkin's streak of respectable opponents continues.

[TheGingerBomber]

I mean no disrespect to Hammer, but I genuinely feel Dubois and Joyce would beat him. He wasn't great against Price, but he was the last man standing. Povetkin should have him inside 3.

But I have no interest, as I have no idea whether Povetkin is a bonafide cheater or the fall guy. To think he can test positive, still get to fight and a year later challenge for the title is shocking.

[candyslim]

It's a very decent match. Credit to both men for taking on a decent opponent. I've tended to discount Hammer after the defeats to Fury and previously to Wach and Bidenko, but I'm probably doing him an injustice. There seems little doubt that he is an improving fighter whereas Povetkin isn't getting any better and maybe is in decline. Either way I expect Povetkin to win as he has a big advantage in skill and probably power too. I say probably because power wasn't too much in evidence against Rudenko. No doubt the less circumspect among you will have a clear idea why that might be.

I agree with Ginger Bomber, I think Joyce has too much for Hammer. I won't make the same claim for Dubois because as excellent a prospect as he is, I think a fight against someone of Hammer's level as at least a year away. At his age they don't need to rush him but the difficulty might be in holding him back.

[Enlightened-One]

Eddie Hearn stated over the weekend that he suspects that the WBA will sanction this bout as a final eliminator, with AJ being mandated to fight the winner.

[Oiky]

Wouldlnt even make AJ favourite against Povetkin at this point

[Ruthless-RKO]

Eddie Hearn stated over the weekend that he suspects that the WBA will sanction this bout as a final eliminator, with AJ being mandated to fight the winner.

Aren't the WBO sanxtioning it as their final eliminator?

[Enlightened-One]

Eddie Hearn stated over the weekend that he suspects that the WBA will sanction this bout as a final eliminator, with AJ being mandated to fight the winner.

Aren't the WBO sanxtioning it as their final eliminator?

I’ve read multiple articles where there was a suggestion that the bout “might be”, so perhaps it will be formally announced as a WBO final eliminator within the coming days. Who knows?

All I know is that I’ve watched numerous YouTube videos over the last couple of days where Eddie Hearn was discussing prospective 2018 opponents for AJ and he clearly stated several times that he strongly suspected that the outcome of the Povetkin-Hammer bout would very likely determine the next WBA mandatory challenger. I can provide you with links, if you like?

So I simply articulated Hearn’s words. The Matchroom boss might be wrong, but I guess we'll find out soon enough.

[candyslim]

Wouldlnt even make AJ favourite against Povetkin at this point

You're entitled to your opinion Oiky but I think Joshua is too big, too strong, too powerful for Povetkin at this stage. Mind you I'd give him more of a chance than I would have done last week, as Takam gave AJ plenty to think about despite being of similar dimensions to Povetkin and having been knocked out out by him.

It's a fight I'd like to see.I hope the rumours about the WBA sanctioning it are true.

[Badhusker]

Zero interest. If they were fighting in my living room I'd turn out the light and go to bed...

[fightfan95]

Could see this being a real stinker.

I hope Hammer wins and retires Povetkin.

But in truth, this is probably going to be a one-sided sh*t fest