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The International Boxing Federation [IBF] has officially exonerated Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin of any wrongdoing, according to the CEO of the World of Boxing, Andrey Ryabinsky. Earlier today, the IBF reinstated Povetkin to their official ratings, where the Russian boxer now holds the 13th position.
Former world champion Sergey Kovalev will not insist on a third fight with IBF, WBO, WBA light heavyweight king Andre Ward. Two weeks ago at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Ward stopped Kovalev in the eight round to retain his three world titles. After the contest, Kovalev complained that the contest was stopped early by referee Tony Weeks, and also blasted the official for failing to warn Ward for landing low blows to end the fight.
The former world champion in three weight divisions, 'Sugar' Shane Mosley, is unable to fight hot Russian fighter Magomed Kurbanov. Mosley was unable to go forward due to a back injury, according to the chief executive of the promotional company RCC Boxing Promotion, Alexey Titov. The fight was originally scheduled to take place on May 5 in Yekaterinburg. The fight was postponed after Mosley had a back injury and was forced to undergo surgery. They pushed back the fight to September 9th.
Former light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (30-2, 26 KOs) is looking to make some big changes after losing for the second time to Andre Ward. Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) won a close twelve round decision over Kovalev last November in Las Vegas, but in their rematch, which took place two weeks ago, he stopped the Russian puncher in eight rounds to retain the IBF, WBA, IBO light heavyweight titles.
The heavyweight bout between Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) and Andriy Rudenko (31-2, 19 KOs, #9 WBO, #13 IBF, #13 WBC) is now sanctioned for the WBO International championship. "The WBO confirms that the international title is at stake," a WBO press officer stated.
Vladimir Hryunov, manager of the mandatory challenger to the "regular" World Boxing Association heavyweight title - Alexander Ustinov of Russia - says the WBA is expected to issue an order this week - to resolve the confusion with the "regular" belt. The sanctioning body had previously ordered Shannon Briggs and Fres Oquendo to square off for the vacant WBA "regular" belt - with the winner having to make an immediate mandatory defense against Ustinov.
As previously reported, a random drug testing protocol was necessary to finalize a fight between Olympic gold medal winner Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) and Andriy Rudenko (31-2, 19 KOs, #9 WBO, #13 IBF, #13 WBC) for July 1st in Moscow. Povetkin is under suspension by the World Boxing Council for failing a pre-fight drug test in connection to last December's planned WBC final eliminator with Bermane Stiverne. After the positive test was revealed, the WBC withdrew their sanction of the fight and Stiverne left Russia to head home. He was replaced on a day's notice by Johann Duhaupas, who Povetkin knocked out in six rounds.
Andrei Ryabinsky, the head of the promotional company "World of Boxing," will continue to fund boxing, but his day to day functions will now be handled by manager Vadim Kornilov. Ryabinsky announced the move at a news conference.
Sergey Kovalev has made a few adjustments after suffering his first career defeat last November, in his first meeting with Andre Ward. The fight, which took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, saw Ward get off the floor to win a very close twelve round unanimous decision - and with the victory he captured Kovalev's IBF, WBA, WBO light heavyweight titles.
BoxingScene.com reported last week that a deal was finalized for Olympic gold medal winner Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) to face Andriy Rudenko (31-2, 19 KOs, #9 WBO, #13 IBF, #13 WBC) on July 1st in Moscow. The fight will be a battle of Russia vs. Ukraine. According to the manager of Rudneko, Vladislav Yeliseyev, there will be doping tests involved with the fight.