By Ruslan Chikov
Several reports in Russia have indicated that the IBF has invited Alexander Povetkin to take part in their four man tournament to crown a new mandatory challenger to champion Wladimir Klitschko. Several other fighters were invited but turned the invitation down for one reason or another, like Alexander Dimitrenko, Denis Boytsov and Jean Marc Mormeck.
Povetkin was the winner of the IBF's last tournament to crown a mandatory challenger in 2008. He was scheduled twice to face Klitschko in the last two years but the fight has fallen through each time.
Povetkin was scheduled to fight him in September. The fight fell through over a contract dispute and Klitschko received the IBF's permission to replace him with Samuel Peter. Although, Povetkin's trainer Teddy Atlas has stated in a few interviews that he pulled Alexander out of the fight because the unbeaten fighter was not prepared for a fight on this level. The IBF kicked Povetkin out of their top ten. After an appeal was heard, Povetkin was given a position in the top five. Fo an unexplained reason, Povetkin was once again removed from the IBF's October rankings which were released this week.
After Povetkin's last performance against Teke Oruh, his handlers are not likely to agree to his participation since the fighters involved are bound to the tournament and are unable to take fights outside of it. Povetkin's handlers want to move him slow in several tune-up fights. Povetkin is slated to return in December.
