By Ruslan Chikov

Heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin has been knocked out of the IBF's top ten rankings. Povetkin was the mandatory challenger to WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. He won an IBF elimination tournament in 2008 with a decision against Eddie Chambers. A fight against Klitschko for the later part of the year was postponed after Povetkin injured himself in training.

Povetkin was once again in position to fight Klitschko on September 11 in Frankfurt, Germany. There were issues with the fight contract, which prevented Povetkin from signing it within the IBF's 15-day period following the purse bid. Klitschko's team complained to the IBF and the sanctioning organization allowed them to substitute Povetkin with the number two ranked Samuel Peter.

The IBF came down very hard on Povetkin, knocking him back to the number 11 position in the rankings. It could be some time before Povetkin puts himself back in the mandatory seat.

1    NOT RATED   
2    Samuel Peter      United States
3    Tomasz Adamek      Poland
4    Denis Boytsov      Germany
5    Eddie Chambers      United States
6    Ruslan Chagaev      Uzbekistan
7    Nicolay Valuev      Russian Federation
8    Alexander Dimitrenko      Ukraine
9    Jean Marc Mormeck      France
10    Jonathon Banks      United States
11    Alexander Povetkin      Russian Federation
12    Chris Arreola      United States
13    Odlanier Solis      Cuba
14    Derrick Rossy      United States
15    Nagy Agulera      Dominican Republic