Alexander Povetkin vs. Ruslan Chagaev

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Punchstats
Total Punches Povetkin Chagaev
Landed 152 71
Thrown 533 416
Pct. 29% 17%
Total Jabs Povetkin Chagaev
Landed 38 24
Thrown 245 240
Pct. 15% 4%
Power Punches Povetkin Chagaev
Landed 114 62
Thrown 288 176
Pct. 40% 35%

Alexander Povetkin 231 lbs beat Ruslan Chagaev 231 lbs by UD in round 12 of 12

  • Date: 2011-08-27
  • Location: Messehalle, Erfurt, Thüringen, Germany
  • Referee: Hubert Earle
  • Judge: Paul Thomas 117-113
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  • Judge: Jean Francois Toupin 117-113
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  • Judge: Glenn Feldman 116-112
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Notes

Boxing Day - Povetkin And Helenius Create Excitement

Alexander Povetkin vs. Ruslan Chagaev (poster).PNG

Michel Massing, Stern, August 30, 2011

Alexander Povetkin and Robert Helenius have breathed new life into the heavyweight division. Under the Klitschko dynasty, there are still exciting fights in boxing's premier class. We take a look at the potential opponents for the new world champion, Alexander Povetkin.

Alexander Povetkin delivered the thriller, Robert Helenius the action, finally allowing us to say again that heavyweight boxing is exciting once more. But no sooner is the action thriller over than boredom threatens to return in the form of Evander Holyfield.

We take a look at heavyweight boxing under the Klitschko era and have identified the potential opponents for the new WBA world champion. But why was Povetkin able to become world champion in the first place?

Title inflation is part of everyday life

Alexander Povetkin and Ruslan Chagaev boxed for the WBA heavyweight world championship on Saturday. This was only possible because the WBA titleholder, Wladimir Klitschko, was suddenly elevated to the status of "Superchamp" by the WBA. The reason lies in the fact that with two titles, the organization can collect twice as many "sanction fees" for a world championship fight. An absurdity, but unfortunately commonplace in the boxing world. So, putting aside the fact that the fight between the two former amateur world champions wasn't a true world title bout, it certainly brought some excitement to the division.

But the second main event of the Erfurt boxing evening was also a real thriller. Finnish boxer Robert Helenius, also under contract with the German Sauerland stable, defeated former world champion Siarhei Liakhovich. So, under the Klitschko dynasty, there are definitely some interesting fights taking place. In the world of ordinary boxers, there's still excitement, and the successors to the dynasty of invincible giants from Ukraine are champing at the bit. So, what's next for Alexander Povetkin?

Sauerland, in the arftermath of the fight, brought in former world champion Evander Holyfield. Speaking of bringing things into the picture: in the independent rankings, Robert Helenius has even managed to get ahead of world champion Povetkin. So, when discussing the most interesting fighters in the heavyweight division, the name Helenius is at least as intriguing as Povetkin's. Before we consider the potential of these two great hopes in boxing's premier division, let's take a brief look back at Saturday.

The thriller: Alexander Povetkin (22-0-0) vs. Ruslan Chagaev (27-2-1)

After cautious opening two rounds, Povetkin found his rhythm. The Russian unleashed a variety of combinations and displayed greater activity. While his punches primarily targeted Chagaev's guard, the Uzbek himself was too passive to win the rounds. Up to that point, the fight had unfolded as predicted by the bookmakers. However, Chagaev's trainer, Michael Timm, urged his fighter to finally get going. From the third round onward, Chagaev became more active and aggressive, landing his left hook while staying on the outside.

Things got interesting because, contrary to what Povetkin's trainer had announced beforehand – "We mainly want to avoid the southpaw's left hook" – Povetkin repeatedly caught the Universum boxer's left hook in the following rounds. In the sixth round, Povetkin wobbled, seemed out of breath, was breathing heavily through his mouth, and an upset seemed imminent. But Ruslan Chagaev couldn't capitalize. He let Povetkin off the hook, who found his second wind from the eighth round onward and controlled the fight until the end with versatile boxing and effective distance control. The second main event of the evening provided some serious action.

The action film: Robert Helenius (16-0-0) vs. Siarhei Liakhovich (25-4-0)

The Finn started very cautiously. "At first, it was perhaps a little boring. I know I can box better. I was a bit nervous," Helenius told ARD. His opponent, however, was no stranger. Siarhei Liakhovich became world champion in 2006 against Lamon Brewster, but lost his title in the following fight, in the final seconds of the 12th round, when he was knocked out by Shannon Briggs. The Belarusian, who lives in the USA, boxed cleverly at the beginning. He moved well around his opponent, impressing with his joping jab and punches right down the pipe.

Most of the action, however, was defensive, and it soon became clear who had come to this fight with blanks and who with genuine ammunition. Helenius 's blows took their toll. By the third round, Liakhovich's nose was broken in two places, he was bleeding heavily, and could only breathe through his mouth. Helenius grew stronger and stronger; with his unorthodox style and brutal power, he finally finished off the previously capable Liakhovich.

After the Belarusian was initially given a standing eight count in round eight and managed to survive until the break, Helenius unleashed his offensive with full force and knocked his opponent out – the referee prevented further damage. Another stunning performance from the Finn, but unlike Povetkin, he still doesn't have a world title.

Mismatches Or New Excitement In The Heavyweight Division?

Wladimir Klitschko has 18 months before he has to face Alexander Povetkin to determine the true WBA champion. Povetkin was supposed to fight Klitschko once before, but his trainer, Teddy Atlas, prevented the bout, deeming Povetkin not ready. Since then, Klitschko's management has had enough of Povetkin, and neither Teddy Atlas nor his protégé seem keen on a duel with the formidable Ukrainian. Perhaps this is even a good thing for the heavyweight division, as fights like last weekend's are more exciting than Klitschko's recent bouts.

The Sauerland boxing stable's preferred solution of pitting Alexander Povetkin against the 1962-born Evander Holyfield, however, stifles any hope for another exciting fight and further development of the talented boxer. It is speculated that this encounter could take place as early as December 17th in Zurich. Admittedly, Evander Holyfield didn't look bad against Niko Valuev, though his loss was controversial. However, even for a 48-year-old, it's not that difficult to appear agile and nimble against the static, imposing Valuev. Evander Holyfield also doesn't stand up to the oft-cited comparison with the 46-year-old WBC light heavyweight champion, Bernard Hopkins.

Thus, contrary to what his nickname might suggest, Evander Holyfield is not a "real deal" for Povetkin, but rather a mismatch and a step backward. Robert Helenius's matchmaking, in comparison to Povetkin's, seems to have been on a steady upward trajectory. The Finn has already boxed three former world champions: Lamon Brewster, Samuel Peter, and Siarhei Liakhovich. Even though all three were well past their prime when they faced Helenius, these are still important benchmarks for the development of the 27-year-old, two-meter-tall fighter. However, his own boxing stable would likely not risk a match between Helenius and Povetkin.

Below the Klitschko brothers, there are still other candidates for exciting heavyweight bouts. Alexander Povetkin could be an option for David Haye, should he recover from his serious toe injury. Tyson Fury (15-0-0) would also be an intriguing candidate. The 23-year-old Briton, who is currently desperately seeking an opponent for his fight on September 17th in Belfast, is considered, along with Robert Helenius, one of the biggest heavyweight prospects. Odlanier Solis shouldn't be overlooked either.

The Cuban is perhaps the most technically gifted heavyweight right now. If he recovers from his knee injury, Povetkin would certainly have reason to fear him. Tomasz Adamek and Alexander Dimitrenko would also be candidates for Povetkin, as he would need to further improve his game against opponents of such caliber. Unless, of course, this improvement happens by default, because, as his trainer Teddy Atlas recently told boxingscene.com: "When you win the title, you automatically become 30 percent better."[1]

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