By Mark Vester
Alexander Povetkin (14-0, 11KOs) stopped former heavyweight champion Chris Byrd (40-4-1, 21KOs) in the eleventh round of an IBF eliminator in Erfurt, Germany.
Povetkin, a 2004 Olympic Gold Medal winner and the brighest heavyweight prospect in the sport, advances in the IBF tournament with the win. He will face the winner of the Nov. 2 bout between Calvin Brock and Eddie Chambers. The overall winner will secure a mandatory title shot against Wladimir Klitschko in 2008.
Byrd, 37, promised to go back to his old style of boxing and being elusive, which he did for as long as he could. But it was apparent that his age caught up to him and after a few rounds he was forced to stand his ground when his legs began to show their age. The younger and stronger Povetkin was landing heavy leather, and while he's not the biggest hitter at the weight, he was doing enough damage for Byrd's corner to throw in the towel in the eleventh round to stop the fight.
At age 28 and holding only 14 pro bouts under his belt, Povetkin holds solid wins over Larry Donald, Chris Byrd, Friday Ahunanya and David Bostice. Byrd, now losing two of his last three by knockout, may be facing retirement.
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