Povetkin Protests Klitschko-Thompson Bout

[BattlingNelson]

In situations like this in the past, the IBF has stripped the titleholder. The other sanctioning organizations have tended to be more reasonable in recent years, but the IBF has been quick to take titles away.

The other option is for the WBO to have Thompson fight for an interim title, and have Wlad fight Povetkin.

Another solution is for the IBF to do something the WBC and WBO have done in the past, although they never have: let Povetkin fight the #1 contender for an interim title, and then fight Wlad next. But the IBF likely won't do it.

These situations is solid proof of how the alphabetboys messes up boxing. They want cash (sanctioning-fees) NOW and are not truly committed to getting an undisputed champ. And thats simply what I just dont understand: Why not give a little lee-way so boxing can get an undisputed HW champ as soon as possible. Thats the medicine boxing needs!

[BrooklynBomber]

Your analysis Povetkin, as we saw him against Chambers, may well be correct, but Klitschko is not the right man to exploit these flaws. Unlike George Foreman, Klitschko does not stand his ground and fight. When you go straight in on him Klitschko's first instinct is to pull straight back, typical European style. Look how cautious Klitschko was against Ibragimov and he wasn't doing much. Povetkin has a much higer work rate. In any case, if Povetkin learns to move his head, Klitschko will then have a very serious problem to solve and history has shown that he is not good at dealing with problems.

I think povetkin is not nearly quick enough to get inside of Wlad's range. He is also not a big puncher by a stretch. Yes, he got a high workrate, but he will be punching air with Wlad sticking that jab in his face. Povetkin is simply not good enough to get to Wlad. And yes, unlike Chambers, Wlad is not gonna stand in one place and let Povetkin hit him.


I do see what you mean, but povetkin is not the man for the job.

[edgarg]

At first glance, it might look as if Klitschko needs to fight Povetkin, since K won the IBF title a year or so before he won the WBO, and Thompson is the WBO #1 contender, which he only won "the other day".

Thompson deserves a title shot. So...... if they PREFER to fight Thompson first, can they work out of it by suggesting that the weight of PRECEDENCE is with Thompson, who has been the #1 for far longer than Povetkin, who's just recently came on the #1 scene.

Some of you guys will know the WBO and IBF rules well enough to know the procedure surrounding a fighter with 2 titles, with 2 pressing #1 contenders, which "precedence" RULES, etc.

Or can it all go "under the table" for a little "wiggling".

[Randall_Hopkirk]

Povetkin should use his stay of execution to fight a couple of tune-ups. He's not ready for Wlad, he probably never will be.

[Random1]

Interesting to think about. My first reaction is that Povetkin's camp is whining...but on the other hand it will be a year in July since Wlad has fought an IBF mandatory - Brewster qualified as a mandatory and Ibragimov was, I suppose, an optional. If I recall correctly how they work, Ibragimov wasn't even rated by the IBF because he had the WBO belt, making his "defense" mean very little to them unless they care about unification instead of money.

But again, as some have pointed out, Thompson has been a mandatory a lot longer, Povetkin didn't become one until he beat Chambers. Either way it looks like Wlad is willing to fight them both, so as long as he does it in a reasonable amount of time no one should be complaining a whole lot.

But then again, we are talking about the alphabets.

[edgarg]

In situations like this in the past, the IBF has stripped the titleholder. The other sanctioning organizations have tended to be more reasonable in recent years, but the IBF has been quick to take titles away.

The other option is for the WBO to have Thompson fight for an interim title, and have Wlad fight Povetkin.

Another solution is for the IBF to do something the WBC and WBO have done in the past, although they never have: let Povetkin fight the #1 contender for an interim title, and then fight Wlad next. But the IBF likely won't do it.

The IBF might change it's normal behaviour for this one. It's not often that they have a titleholder like Klitschko who could be a real asset to them, long term too.

K just won the WBO it's true, but Thompson has been #1 since middle of last year, and Povetkin just became #1 a bare 2 months ago. Thompson was entitled to his WBO shot long before Povetkin came into the IBF picture, so maybe Thompson takes precedence?? Any opinions?

[The Hammer]

I think it's only fair that Thompson should have his shot first, since he's waited a lot longer.

It would be great if the IBF could have Povetkin fight for a interim title in the meantime (it would be another meaningful heavyweight fight for us to watch) against Dimitrenko (resembles Wlad physically but not nearly as good), Virchis (I see his WBC mandatory fight is not yet finalized) or Golota (I'm sure Don King would agree to send old Golota to Germany - he and Sauerland have a good working relationship).

These three are IBF contenders - any one of these big fighters would help Povetkin prepare for Wlad.

[Vladimir303]

It's obvious what Povetkin and his handlers are doing. They know that Povetkins doesn't stand a chance so they're hoping that Wlad gets stripped so they can get the vacant title.

If I'm wrong then what's the problem? Wlad just unified titles and is trying to keep them. One mandatory at a time......they should understand that.

Povetkin knows he is next and that he will lose......so this is a cheepshot move.

[Hitman932]

The IBF might change it's normal behaviour for this one. It's not often that they have a titleholder like Klitschko who could be a real asset to them, long term too.

K just won the WBO it's true, but Thompson has been #1 since middle of last year, and Povetkin just became #1 a bare 2 months ago. Thompson was entitled to his WBO shot long before Povetkin came into the IBF picture, so maybe Thompson takes precedence?? Any opinions?

i certainly believe thompson takes precedence, and i also believe it is the much tougher fight for klitschko

as far as the IBF goes, lamon brewster was appointed as mandatory challenger when they fought last july, so even if he fights thompson first and then povetkin he wont have gone more than 14-15 months between mandatories. Actually Wlad made two consecutive "mandatories" counting ray austin. so if the IBF would strip him now if would be particularly disgusting considering he has treated the belt to two mandatories and a unification in his 4 defenses.

[Hitman932]

Povetkin knows he is next and that he will lose......so this is a cheepshot move.

true, if they strip wlad and povetkin wins a vacant title, povetkin will not want to fight a unification.