By Alexey Sukachev and Yuri Tarantin

Earlier today rumors were widespread on the web that a proposed fight between WBA heavyweight champion (the regular one) Alexander Povetkin (24-0, 16 KOs) and former undisputed heavyweight king Hasim Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KOs) would fight on July 27 in Moscow, Russia, despite a recent hand injury suffered by the American veteran.

According to Izvestia media agency, Rahman’s injury wasn’t serious, and the surgery to fix it had gone pretty well - and The Rock was ready to come back to the ring no later than at the end of the month. Izvestia has also quoted Povetkin saying the following: “Active negotiations are still under way but I can say firmly now that the fight with Hasim Rahman will take place on July 27 in Moscow, the capital of my Homeland. I’m glad to fight him on my home turf. Beforehand, I wasn’t much concerned about it and I didn’t care where the fight would take its place – in Hamburg or in London – but now I’m glad because I’m finally coming back home."

However, this news was immediately dismissed by Povetkin’s manager Vladimir Hryunov in his quickie with Allboxing.ru. “Surely, that’s a lie. This is just not happening. Indeed, we are considering a match-up for Alexander in late July against a WBA-ranked fighter, and negotiations with the World Boxing Association are under way right now. But Rahman fight is impossible because he is injured."