Photos: Povetkin Lands Overseas, Eyes WBA Title Shot

By Alexey Sukachev

Team Povetkin arrived in America to continue his preparations for a high-profile tests in the nearest future. WBA #2 ranked heavyweight (21-0, 15 KOs) and the only Russian ever to get an Olympic gold medal in the super heavyweight division will conduct a three-week training camp under the guidance of Teddy Atlas.

Interestingly, Alexander took some Matrioshka (Russian wooden dolls) with him, and they are painted into NFL’s Oakland Raiders uniform; Teddy Jr., Teddy Atlas’s son, works as a scout for the Raiders.

“Alexander is now ranked #2 by the World Boxing Association. We are currently awaiting the WBA’s ruling in regards to the present situation. On July 2, WBA champion David Haye fights WBO/IBF/IBO champion Wladimir Klitschko in unification; the winner being declared as a Super Champion. In this case, the regular title could be declared vacant and then contested between the first and the second ranked fighters," commented Vladimir Hryunov, manager of Povetkin.

Former WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev (27-1-1, 17 KOs) of Uzbekistan is ranked #1 by the WBA, and he is also denoted as the obligatory challenger for the title.