Povetkin may not be fighting Holyfield - possibly Rahman instead

[The Hammer]

A spokesman for Sauerland told the German media earlier today that they are in discussions with SEVERAL potential opponents for Alexander Povetkin's Dec 17th fight.

He mentioned Hasim Rahman and said there are several possibilities.

today's article from the boxing talk website:

HASIM RAHMAN: "POVETKIN WON'T LAST LONG"

By G. Leon

GL: What's the latest and greatest? When can boxing fans expect to see you back in the ring? "It's been a while since I had the opportunity to become a world champion, so that's what's next for me. I'm the mandatory for Povetkin and I will be taking the title from him."

GL: What did you think of his recent performance against Ruslan Chagaev?

Hasim Rahman: "When you're fighting a southpaw it's always hard, so I'm not going to give him a failing grade. I don't think he looked all that, but it was a difficult fight that was in front of him. A lot of guys look really, really good with right handers and really, really bad with southpaws so he gets a pass from me on that one."

GL: Other than being able to win another belt, do you view Povetkin as Klitschko get back based on your non-performance against Klitschko?

HR: "Not really. I didn't really have a chance in that fight anyway. I was offered the fight on 30 days notice. I felt as though if I hit Wladimir the fight would be over, so I took a chance and took the fight, but he was a lot more difficult that I anticipated and if I was ever going to fight him again, I would need a lot more than 30 days notice."

GL: How have you improved as a fighter since then?

HR: "I'm just taking my body and my training seriously. When I fight Povetkin, I will be fighting him at 235-238 lbs. I'm going to come in that weight with something to prove and it's going to be on. It's going to be a short night for Povetkin."

GL: Ok. So the fight isn't going the distance then.

HR: "Absolutely not."

GL: When might the fight take place?

HR: "I'm not sure, I'm sure I am his mandatory and he can't get around me. I'm preparing right now. I'm getting my weight down, I'm eating right and everything is on point. When it gets made great, but I'm already preparing to get ready starting now."

GL: What update can you give us on both of your sons progression?

HR: "My oldest son, I love him to death, but he's not 1000% serious about boxing. If he's not going to take it 1000% seriously I don't know if he's going to have my support about boxing. This is a hurt business and I never want to see one of my sons coming off the canvas. And then with Sharif, I feel like he's something special and a world champion in the making. He's got no distractions, but that can change because at 15 I felt the same way about Junior. "

GL: Closing thoughts?

HR: "I just want the fans to know that I will be three time heavyweight champion. If anybody got anything to say about the validity of this championship, I definitely feel this is the best way to do it. In the past it's been impossible for a champion to defend all his belts and they wind up getting stripped. This way the champion gets to keep his belt and I get the chance to become three time heavyweight champion."

[davros2010]

A spokesman for Sauerland told the German media earlier today that they are in discussions with SEVERAL potential opponents for Alexander Povetkin's Dec 17th fight.

He mentioned Hasim Rahman and said there are several possibilities.

Rahman has been terrible recently not much better than a Holyfield fight. Hopefully Povetkin will fight someone good next.

[The Hammer]

Rahman has been terrible recently not much better than a Holyfield fight. Hopefully Povetkin will fight someone good next.

True.

But the WBA inexplicably have him ranked at #1.

[RSBonos]

At least Holyfield will try to win the fight, unlike Rahman.

[joe strong]

A spokesman for Sauerland told the German media earlier today that they are in discussions with SEVERAL potential opponents for Alexander Povetkin's Dec 17th fight.

He mentioned Hasim Rahman and said there are several possibilities.

i told everyone here this a month ago...i posted the article from the WBA

[joe strong]

A spokesman for Sauerland told the German media earlier today that they are in discussions with SEVERAL potential opponents for Alexander Povetkin's Dec 17th fight.

He mentioned Hasim Rahman and said there are several possibilities.

here is the article i posted before chagaev vs povetkin...



According to insider sources, the winner of this fight will have 90 days to defend their new WBA heavyweight title against a former two-time heavyweight champion who was also a "lineal" champion. He will always have significance because, as opposed to most titleholders, he's "the man who beat the man" and is part of the same championship lineage as Jack Johnson, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.

Hasim Rahman.

Nicknamed "The Rock", Hasim Rahman (50-7-2-1 NC, 41 KOs) began his professional career at age 22 and is a former WBC, IBF, and IBO world heavyweight champion. He won the titles in 2001 after a shocking one-punch knockout of Lennox Lewis in Round 5. Lewis regained his titles in their rematch seven months later.

In 2005, the WBC designated Rahman as Vitali Klitschko's next mandatory challenger - the fight was set for April 30. Following several postponements, Vitali retired and the WBC voted to award its heavyweight championship to Rahman, making him a two time heavyweight champion. He lost the title the following year to Oleg Maskaev.

After losing to Wladimir Klitschko in December 2008, Rahman would take a 15 month hiatus before staging one last run at a major heavyweight title. Since March 2010, the Rock is 5-0, 5 KOs and has beaten:
Clinton Boldridge, KO 1
Shannon Miller, TKO 4
Damon Reed, KO 6
Marcus McGee, KO 1
Galen Brown, TKO 6

Analyzing Rahman
Hasim, 38, possesses a powerful jab, potent right hand and a reach that spans 82-84". He has excellent timing and is very aggressive in attacking with his power punches. The Rock also knows when to turn on the heat on his opponents and is known to be a good finisher. Rahman, because of his power and long reach, is a threat to anyone in the heavyweight division and dangerous at all times. Regardless of who's winning on the scorecards, a fighter like Rahman is always in the fight.

Rahman vs Povetkin
Alexander Povetkin (21-0, 15 KOs), of Russia, is currently the WBA's No. 2 world-rated heavyweight contender. He's a former Olympic gold medalist and perhaps one of the most accomplished amateur boxers ever. His professional boxing resume includes a knockout victory over former two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd, and unanimous decision victories over one-time heavyweight title challenger Eddie Chambers and former U.S. Olympians Jason Estrada and Larry Donald. Povetkin has won three of his last four bouts by knockout.

If Rahman fights Povetkin, he must discombobulate the highly skilled Russian. Povetkin will attempt to fight at angles and use decent hand-speed at close quarters to punish Rahman with combinations. The Rock's jab will have to work overtime as the former champion should attempt to keep Povetkin off rhythm and at long range and force Povetkin to be on the defensive most of the fight. If Rahman can unload his big right-hand and hurt Povetkin early, he has a chance to knock the Russian off his gameplan.

Rahman vs Chagaev
Ruslan Chagaev (27-1-1, 17 KOs), a native of Ukraine who fights out of Berlin, Germany, captured the WBA heavyweight title when he dethroned 7-foot tall defending champion Nikolai Valuev via a majority decision in April 2007. It would be Valuev's first loss in 47 fights. During his two-year reign, Chagaev successfully defended his title with a unanimous decision over Matt Skelton (then 21-1) and a technical decision over Carl Drumond (then 26-0). Since losing to Wladimir Klitschko in June 2009, Chagaev has defeated Kali Meehan (then 35-3) and Travis Walker (then 34-5-1) to become the WBA's No. 1 heavyweight contender.

If Rahman fights Chagaev, the Rock must be wary of Ruslan's excellent left-hand which he throws from a southpaw stance. Chagaev's loves using his left and throws it effectively to the head and body. Ruslan's southpaw stance might pose a problem as the orthodox fighters , like Rahman, are not used to fighting southpaws. In order to win, Rahman must take away Chagaev's left-hand by moving to his left to avoid Ruslan's power. Rahman must also find or create opportunities where he can land his big right hand. The Rock would have a decisive reach advantage over Chagaev and must use it to his advantage to nullify Chagaev's southpaw advantage.

Interesting Match-Ups
Rahman's power, size, reach and experience should make for an interesting fight regardless who he faces. There's little doubt, though, the Rock will be the underdog - especially since his opponent will have home field advantage. In order to win, Rahman must score a knockout or TKO - or knock his opponent down a few times or pitch a virtual shutout en route to winning a decision.

If Rahman is looking to outbox Povetkin or Chagaev, he should stay home. Even if Hasim manages to outpoint his opponent in a competeive bout, its unlikely he'll be awarded a decision, given the fight will take place in Russia or Germany.

Fortunately for Rahman, Chagaev and Povetkin are aggressive, offensive fighters who will be more vulnerable than the defensive-minded Wladimir Klitschko. Rahman needs to fight a "war" - not a chess match. Controlled violence is the key to victory for Hasim... And, as Lennox Lewis can attest, Rahman is well-capable of ending a fight with one punch.

[The Hammer]

i told everyone here this a month ago...i posted the article from the WBA

I just added an article (posted today on another site) to the opening post in this thread. Rahman expects to be fighting Povetkin next.

[Cloud]

I always liked Hasim. The guy seems pretty damn decent. He was never great but he wasnt the worst either.

All that aside, i cant see him becoming world champion again. Im all for the whole ''It Happened'' to quote Jim Lampley but idk if The Rock could do it...

[joe strong]

I just added an article (posted today on another site) to the opening post in this thread. Rahman expects to be fighting Povetkin next.

nice...didnt know he had 2 sons trying to box...good to hear he is at least training already...then again i've heard that one before...lol!

[The Hammer]

The somewhat faded Rahman would still be slightly dangerous for Povetkin, but the very faded Holyfield would not be.