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