Alexander Povetkin beats Ruslan Chagaev to claim WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title – Boxing news
2004 Olympic Gold Medallist, Alexander Povetkin, has won the World Boxing Association’s ‘regular’ version heavyweight title as he defeated the former WBA heavyweight boxing champion, Ruslan Chagaev, on a unanimous points decision at the Messehalle in Erfurt,
Germany.
The first two rounds were pretty slow before Povetkin, who is widely known as the White Lion, started clobbering his opponent. The Uzbekistan’s pugilist, Chagaev, also landed a few good shots but every time Povetkin responded.
Though the White Tyson, Chagaev, who now holds a record of winning 27 of his 29 professional fights (1 draw), with 17 of his wins coming by the way of a knockout, registered himself in the sixth and seventh round, Povetkin outpointed him in other rounds.
Therefore, the Russian warrior was awarded the win 117-113 twice and 116-112 on the scorecards.
The 32-year-old Chagaev afterwards admitted Povetkin, who during his amateur kickboxing career won World Junior championship in 1997, World title in 1999 and a European professional kickboxing title in 2000, is a true fighter and he was too much for him.
“I'm sorry, today was not my day,” said Chagaev, whose health problems have hindered his career in recent times. “He's a good boxer, a real world champion now.”
The 31-year-old, Povetkin, who now holds an undefeated record of winning all 21 of his professional fights including 15 of his wins coming by the way of a knockout, also shared his feelings after winning the bout.
“My father always hoped and wanted for me to be a world champion,” said the Russian, whose dad passed away in 2010.
Povetkin in the end also admired Chagaev and revealed he was very tough for him to beat.
“It was a very hard fight. It was very hard to fight him. I have a lot of respect for him, he's a very difficult and patient boxer,” he said.
Povetkin has won the same title which Dr. Steelhammer, Wladimir Klitschko, won from David ‘the Hayemaker’ Haye on July 2, 2011 at the Hamburg’s Football Stadium in Germany and for that reason he has now become a legitimate challenger to the Klitschkos.
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