Alexander Povetkin, the Future of Boxing
ESB Exclusive: Alexander Povetkin, the Future of Boxing!
20.10.06 - By Izyaslav “Slava” Koza: By 2004, during the Olympic games in Athens, I had decided to get rid of my television and try and focus on other pursuits of entertainment as well as self-development. Of course, seeing as I was also an avid boxing fan, it seemed inconceivable to miss the Olympic gold medal matches set to be televised during the closing days of those games. It was a conflict of interest that, thankfully, I was able to solve.
One of the hot names being thrown around the boxing forums at the time was Russian “super” heavy Alexander Povetkin. Coming of outstanding boxing pedigree, he also overcame the tougher half of the brackets in his quest to the final and there was really little doubt as to who would finish on top, as his opponent from Egypt was considered a severe underdog even by severe underdog standards. This fight would effectively, if based on all the in print information available online, be a showcase for the Russian who was known for knocking guys out despite the helmets and extra padded “pillow” gloves. So it was with a heightened curiosity that I asked an acquaintance to watch the gold medal round matches on his TV.
The Cubans performed as expected, to the great disappointment of boxing fans of different nationalities around the world (Britain especially), and to the delight of Cuba’s proud tradition of Olympic boxing dominance. The Dark Horse, Russian Alexei Tichtchenko, who was saved from elimination via disqualification in the quarterfinal, seized the gift opportunity by the proverbial throat, dominating both his semifinal and finals opponents. Andre Ward captured the only American gold, and gained some measure of respect for a faltering US amateur program. The only matter to be decided was that of Povetkin’s bout which was coming up last on the second day of the two allotted for the gold medal matches.
Although I was excited about seeing what the Europeans were clamoring about, the only fight of Povetkin’s that would have been televised on American TV, ended in a walk out as the Egyptian failed his medical exam earlier that day. Here was the new Olympic champion in the heavyweight division, the successor to Foreman’s, Frazier’s, and Lewis’s Olympic crown, and yet, I don’t think he was shown once during those games (not even the medal ceremony).
While most fans shrug this of for what in essence it was, an unfortunate coincidence, the appendix to this sad story is, the kid didn’t get a chance to sell himself. Traditionally, fighters like Roy Jones, Lennox Lewis, and others of that, and even lesser, pedigree use the Olympic stage as an initial starting point, for their professional career. As they enter the pro ranks they already have some measure of TV exposure and thus it is somewhat easier to get “promoted” in the default capital of boxing the United States.
Still, that glitch in advertising did not stop the Russian from turning pro last year, like other amateur greats before him, and racking up 5 wins in 05. Recently, Alexander answered some questions for us regarding himself and his future:
![Rico Verhoeven [right] clouts Oleksandr Usyk in Egypt on May 23, 2026](https://photo.boxingscene.com/uploads/Oleksandr-Usyk-Rico-Verhoeven-20.webp)
