By Jhonny Gonzalez

The World Boxing Association has confirmed to BoxingScene.com that Hasim Rahman suffered a hand injury that forced him to withdraw from a scheduled fight with "regular" heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin. The mandatory fight was scheduled for July 14 in Hamburg, Germany. Because Rahman is the mandatory challenger, the WBA's championship committee will evaluate the situation and make a statement later in the day regarding the case. Povetkin is unbeaten in 24 battles, with 16 knockouts, while the interim-beltholder, Rahman, has 50 wins, with 41 knockouts, seven defeats and two draws.