Alexander Povetkin

Alexander Povetkin is a former Russian heavyweight professional boxer, born on September 2, 1979. He boasts an impressive record of 36 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw in his 20-year career. He is widely known by his nicknames such as Sasha, Russian Vityaz, and White Lion.

Povetkin's professional career started in 2005, and he quickly rose to prominence after defeating veteran Larry Donald via a unanimous decision in his 13th professional fight. In his earlier days as a boxer, Povetkin remained undefeated, winning 25 consecutive fights with 17 KO victories. He cemented his place as one of the best when he claimed the WBA (Regular) heavyweight title by defeating Ruslan Chagaev via a unanimous decision on August 27, 2011.

In the IBF heavyweight title tournament in 2007, Povetkin defeated Chris Byrd, edging closer to the top. However, he was defeated by Wladimir Klitschko via a unanimous decision in 2013 for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles. Povetkin fought unified champion Anthony Joshua for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles in 2018, losing in the seventh round via a technical knockout.

One of Povetkin's most notable fights was against British boxer Dillian Whyte in August 2020, where he emerged victorious via a fifth-round technical knockout. His most recent fight was a rematch against Whyte in March 2021, where he lost via a fourth-round technical knockout.

Over the years of his professional career, Povetkin has won a total of 25 fights via knockout and has suffered two losses via knockout. He has won several titles, including the WBA (Regular) heavyweight title and the WBC interim heavyweight title.

As an amateur boxer, Povetkin won gold medals in the super-heavyweight division at the 2002 and 2004 European Championships, the 2003 World Championships, and the 2004 Olympics. He also boasts a sterling record of 125-7 as an amateur.

Povetkin stands at a height of 1.88 meters (6 feet 2 inches) with a reach of 190 cm (75 inches). He fights in an Orthodox stance and his weight class is in the heavyweight division. BoxRec rated him in the top ten annual heavyweights from 2006 to 2020, and rated him in the top five annual heavyweights from 2007 to 2020, except for 2019.

Early Career

Povetkin's early career was not without challenges, and for a while, he was relatively unknown. However, this soon changed when he defeated Larry Donald via unanimous decision in his 13th professional fight. Although relatively unknown at the time, he quickly became one of the most promising heavyweight contenders.

IBF Heavyweight Title Tournament 2007-2011

Povetkin's position as a promising heavyweight boxer was further strengthened in the IBF heavyweight title tournament. He defeated Chris Byrd, who had lost his title to Klitschko the year before, with an 11th-round TKO victory. Byrd put up more resistance than Donald but was ultimately overwhelmed, and his corner threw in the towel. Less than a week later, Eddie Chambers won a split decision over former title challenger Calvin Brock, which advanced Povetkin and Chambers to the final round of the tournament.

On January 26, 2008, Povetkin defeated Chambers by unanimous decision to become the mandatory challenger for Klitschko. On July 19, 2008, Povetkin knocked out Taurus Sykes in the fourth round.

WBA (Regular) Heavyweight Champion 2011-2013

Povetkin vs. Chagaev

After Wladimir Klitschko unified his WBO and IBF titles with David Haye's WBA title, Klitschko was upgraded to "Super Champion" by the WBA, thus making the "Regular Champion" title vacant. On July 6, 2011, negotiations for Povetkin to fight former WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev for the vacant title began between Sauerland, who promoted Povetkin, and Chagaev's promoter Universum.

Two days later, Povetkin's trainer confirmed the fight would take place on August 27. At the time of the bout, Povetkin was ranked No.3 heavyweight contender by The Ring, while Chagaev was ranked No.4 contender by the same publication.

Former WBA world champion Nikolai Valuev predicted Povetkin to win by decision or knockout in the championship rounds. With Teddy Atlas in his corner, Povetkin bested Chagaev by unanimous decision to capture the WBA (Regular) heavyweight title. Both fighters were active from the opening bell, with Povetkin appearing to have the upper hand in the first half of the fight, frequently closing the distance and working Chagaev's body, while blocking most of Chagaev's shots with his arms and gloves.

Chagaev regained his composure in the middle rounds, hurting a tired Povetkin several times with clubbing left hooks. Povetkin withstood Chagaev's attacks and re-established his pressure going into the championship rounds while Chagaev appeared to be saving energy for the last rounds. The twelfth round saw both fighters trading shots

Alexander Povetkin Fight Record