By Ruslan Chikov
Trainer Teddy Atlas spoke with Alexander Pavlov about the development of undefeated Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin and the career of IBO/WBO/IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko. Atlas will be in Povetkin's corner for his fight on Saturday against durable contender Teke Oruh in Russia.
Atlas wants Povetkin to gain the proper experience to become the best possible fighter.
"Let's look at the achievements of Vladimir. It took him 37 matches to win the title. Sasha has only had 19 fights. I want him to gain experience. It's my duty. He has the title of Olympic champion and the talent. Our task is to build experience. We must learn to work under pressure, exactly work out an entire 12 rounds, and to understand what you're doing in the ring," Atlas said.
"Our work is comparable with the erection of a building brick by brick. But where is the cement that bonded this masonry, consisting of faith, understanding yourself, reliability? The cement is the experience, expertise and more experience. So, when going up against the opponents of the highest class, my fighter will know exactly what to do and not just move around at random."
Atlas gives a lot of credit to Wladimir for everything that he's accomplished in his career. He says the heavyweight champ is at the top of his game.
"You have to watch Klitschko's performance. Although it is very boring, Ukrainians should pay tribute. He is very efficient and knows what to do and what not to do. And it took him a long time to get there. Among the things he does wrong, Klitschko's right about one thing - he clearly maintains the distance, whenever possible he connects with the jab and he keep an opponent under constant tension. And when you get to him at close range, he hugs you as if he grabbed his wife after a long separation. However, he always does his job and makes it very hard from first to the last round," Atlas said.
