BoxRec

Looking back, it's interesting that Vitali's last career fight against Charr took place at Olympiysky Stadium in Moscow, Russia - the same venue, where his brother Wladimir will fight Povetkin a year later. It's especially interesting and even somewhat ironic, when you look at current political climate.

An alternate plot came to my mind...Back in summer of 2012, Povetkin had his shameful WBA mandatory against an over the hill and out of shape Hasim Rahman postponed from July to September, due to Rahman's hand injury.

At first, there were brief talks about removing Rahman from his mandatory position for good. That didn't happen and Povetkin had to fulfill his mandatory in Sept.2012 (Pov won TKO 2).

Around the same time, Vitali's fight against Charr was severely criticized, too. It did take place, however (Vit won TKO 4) and was even aired on HBO.

Let's fantasize - Vitali's looking for another opponent after the choice of Charr receives wide criticism. Povetkin had his mando vs Rahman scratched, to the delight of fight fans.

Despite having a previous mostly non-pleasant experience in negotiations for Wladimir-Povetkin fight in 2008-2010, teams of Vitali and Povetkin are reaching agreement for the Vitali-Povetkin fight. Thus, Vitali's planned show in Moscow was saved. And suddenly, we're having an interesting contest on our hands.

How do you see Vitali vs Povetkin going, had it happened in September of 2012? Would Povetkin fare better against an elder brother?

Remember how Povetkin couldn't win a single round against Wlad and got dropped 4 times?

Well he doesn't win a single round against Vitali, and he gets dropped multiple times as well. It'd probably be less boring than Wlad fight was.

Yes, Vitaly beats Povetkin. As good as Povetkin was, he doesn’t beat the elite guys.

Noxy wrote: ↑27 Sep 2025, 15:26 Yes, Vitaly beats Povetkin. As good as Povetkin was, he doesn’t beat the elite guys.

Yeah Povetkin could hang in there with the Top guys, but usually was doing all he could just to stay in the fight. He could beat the 4-10 type Top 10 contenders, just not the guys at the very top. He was a very good Heavyweight though no doubt.

Povetkin was a good fighter in 2012, but Vitali would be too big and too much for Povetkin unable to overcome like his fight with Wlad as Vitali would either take a decision or stopping him late after jabbing and landing right hands.

It's kinda a shame this one didn't happen actually. Vitali could use a name like Povetkin on his record more than Wlad could.

Same what was vs Wlad.