By Ruslan Chikov

Alexander Povetkin (26-0, 18KOs) has hired Alexander Zimin to train him for the October 5th bout with WBO/IBO/WBA/IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko (60-3, 51KOs), taking at Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Russian businessman Andrei Ryabinsky confirmed the information and says Zimin is now the head trainer of the camp.

Ryabinsky had tried to get Freddie Roach, but there were issues with Roach being unable to spend several weeks in Russia training Povetkin. He wanted Povetkin to train in the United States, which didn't make sense to the boxer. After they failed to reach a deal, Roach accepted an offer to train  former three division champion Miguel Cotto, who returns to action on the same day as Povetkin.

Povetkin was trained for his last few fights by former champion Kostya Tszyu. Ryabinsky says there is a possibility that Tszyu will return to Povetkin's team, with Zimin still leading the way as head trainer.