Povetkin to participate in IBF elimination tournament to face Klitschko
Alexander Povetkin is just two wins away from challenging world champion Wladimir Klitschko after the IBF has launched an elimination tournament to determine the Ukrainian´s next mandatory challenger.
The 2004 Olympic gold medal winner, unbeaten in 13 professional bouts, joins fourth-ranked Calvin Brock, former champion Chris Byrd (5) and Eddie Chambers (10) in the competition. Povetkin (11) will be in for a meeting with Byrd, while Brock comes face-to-face with Chambers. The two winners will then fight for the right to challenge Klitschko.
"Those are great news," Povetkin´s co-manager Kalle Sauerland stated. "This is the chance Alexander has been waiting for. We have no doubts he will prevail in this interesting tournament."
Povetkin (13-0, 9 KOs) comes off a lopsided points victory over American veteran Larry Donald who failed to win a single round in their meeting in Moscow. Sauerland has no doubts there are even better things ahead for the 27-year-old star. "Alexander will be the world champion soon. The Klitschko hunt has officially started. Just two wins and he can´t hide anymore."
No dates have been confirmed yet, but Sauerland stated he will try "everything possible" to bring the fight to Germany.
