Alexander Povetkin vs. BJ Flores in Play - If Hammer Withdraws

[Ruthless-RKO]

There is a backup opponent waiting in the wings. It wasn't that long ago that BJ Flores (34-3-1, 21 KOs) called for a fight with former world champion Alexander Povetkin (32-1, 23 KOs).

If the pieces fall into place, he may get his wish.

At their recent annual convention, the World Boxing Organization sanctioned Povetkin vs. Hammer as a final WBO eliminator for a world title shot at Joseph Parker.

Hammer is currently the number one ranked fighter under the WBO, while Povetkin is ranked at six and also holds the WBO's International title.

Back in September Parker retained his world title with a close twelve round majority decision over mandatory challenger Hughie Fury.

But if something goes wrong with the fight, the promoters are going secure Flores as an alternate opponent.

Flores, who now fights at heavyweight, has won two in a row since losing to Tony Bellew back in October 2016.

"We will also speak with [Flores], we will announce the name of the reserve opponent as soon as we sign a contract with him," said event promoter Alexei Titov, explaining that this decision is being made in the event that Hammer withdraws from the fight.

[greg]

..BJ Flores? never heard of him..don't think it will bring ageing Povetkin any further in his career..

[Ruthless-RKO]

..BJ Flores? never heard of him..don't think it will bring ageing Povetkin any further in his career..

Let's hope Hammer doesn't withdraw

[IronFrost]

Povetkin fights bum after bum. Let's praise him for Hammer or Flores lmao. Fuking bums.

[candyslim]

Flores was destroyed by Tony Bellew wasn't he or am I mixing up names? Hammer is a very respectable opponent but Flores is cannon fodder. Let's definitely hope there is no pull out by Hammer.

[asdfjkl]

Both are bums, but Flores absolutely doesn't deserve this fight. Hammer is just the current rank one for whatever reason.

[gilgamesh]

I actually don't mind. B.J. Flores is such a douchey kinda "Legend in his own mind" type personality that it'd be funny to see him get his ass handed to him by Povetkin. It'd also be the most money he ever made for a fight by far too, so it'd be a smart move for him...financially at least.

Povetkin vs Hammer would be a more competitive, interesting match obviously. Flores would get steamrolled.

[candyslim]

Both are bums, but Flores absolutely doesn't deserve this fight. Hammer is just the current rank one for whatever reason.

I would have said the same about Hammer up until fairly recently. Taken as a whole, his losses to Fury, Wach and Bidenko are not suggestive of a top ten fighter. Having said that his recent performances show that he is an improving fighter and one who is not scared to take on quality opposition. While he's never going to be considered as a test for Joshua or Wilder, I've started to look at him with a lot more respect than I used to.

He's never worthy of the #1 spot though that's just utter bollocks.

[jamamb]

would be a joke opponent. fitting for the povetkin circus these days.

[Ilya Muromets]

Povetkin fights bum after bum. Let's praise him for Hammer or Flores lmao. Fuking bums.

Yeah "bum after bum" because your phony "champs" are scared stiff to fight him and hide behind the skirts of mafia doctor Margaret Goodman and her phony las vegas drug testing racket.

No indication that i know of that Hammer will withdraw anyway, and like Candy said above Hammer has looked much improved and very good lately.

Rudenko, Duhaupas, Wach, Perez, Takam, Charr, Wladimir, Waw-however you spell it, etc etc. They don't make 'em any less bummier than that!

[Ilya Muromets]

"Povetkin fights bum after bum"

Bump - because they post stupid comments and can't even try to defend what they post.

[candyslim]

would be a joke opponent. fitting for the povetkin circus these days.

It's hard to make a case for excluding Hammer from the top 15 maybe the top 10. Can you honestly say the same about Stiverne, Washington, Arreola, Szpilka or Molina?

I think Duhaupas is the only Wilder opponent I could make that claim about other than Stiverne 2015 version.

[keirw]

Hammer may only be a gatekeeper but he is on a pretty good run of form, and I am glad he is getting a shot and (hopefully) a half decent payday. Even if he will lose handily.

Flores, on the other hand was seen as a poor opponent for Bellew at cruiser, how he could now be seen as a credible opponent for a top five heavyweight is beyond me.

[boxing_rocks]

Povetkin is on his way to becoming Wilder's mandatory again:

http://tass.com/sport/974628

[BitPlayer]

If Hammer withdraws?

Is Povetkin planning on failing another drug test?

[jamamb]

would be a joke opponent. fitting for the povetkin circus these days.

It's hard to make a case for excluding Hammer from the top 15 maybe the top 10. Can you honestly say the same about Stiverne, Washington, Arreola, Szpilka or Molina?

I think Duhaupas is the only Wilder opponent I could make that claim about other than Stiverne 2015 version.

'bj flores in play'

[Ilya Muromets]

Povetkin is on his way to becoming Wilder's mandatory again:

http://tass.com/sport/974628

Now Wilder will have to get NeVADA's Doc Margaret Goodman in Las Vegas to come to his assistance again and "find something" on Povetkin again because his handlers know that Povetkin will most likely destroy Wilder and they want to cash out on him with a big fight with Joshua who he might even beat.