Povetkin’s “glorified sparring session” gives Atlas bad rap
For the last few weeks boxing trainer Teddy Atlas has been involved in a bit of boxing shenanigans that threatens to dwarf his otherwise clean record. After dropping out of a career high payday fight with Wladimir Klitschko in September, Alexander Povetkin, Atlas' undefeated heavyweight prospect, was involved in a shady “exhibition bout” with former heavyweight champion Bruce Sheldon that may not have been formally sanctioned.
A number of media outlets picked up on the story, but details were scattered. The bout took place in Philadelphia on 29 July. During four rounds of action, Sheldon, who was been inactive for over a year and was knocked out in his last ring appearance, was knocked down three times. At this point the referee waived the bout and awarded Povetkin a TKO win.
But because it was written off as an exhibition bout, it won’t show up on his record. The curiosities begin there: various reports said that no headgear or oversized gloves were used, both of which are mandatory in exhibition bouts. As well, sources were advised that at the time of the bout not even Povetkin’s promoters, Sauerland Event, was aware of the bout until it appeared in news headlines days later. Many close to Povetkin expressed concern with not knowing the details, as the possibility of injury is always present.
Meanwhile reported Ruslan Chikov reported that “this was as close to a legit contest as possible, but calling it an exhibition would rule out the involvement of the local commission, who probably would not have approved the fight between Povetkin and Seldon.”
Naturally, the statement added to the controversy. It was then confirmed that the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission wasn’t aware of the bout, and that Seldon’s license to box was in fact suspended due to him failing a drug test.
Finally, Atlas weighed in, explaining it as a “glorified sparring session.” He said: "I wanted to give him [Povetkin] a glorified sparring session with all the bells and whistles of a real fight and it’s a training session.” He continued: “At the end of the five-week training camp, we rented an arena, used small gloves, no headgear; we had a doctor there, a weigh-in; we had a judge. We had everything."
So was it a bout or not?
Thomas Hauser of Ring Magazine then contributed to the story, and clarified that Seldon was given $10,000 for his participation. There were also some 70 to 100 attendants at the ‘event,’ which was scheduled to go 10 rounds. There was a ring doctor present, as well as three judges, two of whom were paid and were also boxing journalists.
According to Pennsylvania laws, there is a distinction made between a “contest” and an “exhibition” bout. In a contest, boxers are “earnestly striving to win,” whereas in an exhibition they are “not necessarily” trying to do so. Not only does anybody who’s ever been in the ring know this is a thin line to draw, especially with spectators present, but if the argument was that Atlas wanted to give Povetkin a “real fight,” then why didn’t he?
After all, an official bout would have come with more regulations ultimately in favour of the safety of the fighters involved. Atlas said there was a doctor present, but by commission standards, there are more requirements. First aid equipment, an ambulance on scene, an official pre-fight medical exam are all necessary. And they’re not superfluous mentioning, given that Seldon is 44 years old and has been knocked out four times in his last eight fights. Povetkin, on the other, is a prime top give heavyweight. If the bout was formally addressed, it’s unclear if Seldon would have been approved for combat in any jurisdictions (being suspended), so having him compete is even worse than that.
While official punishment may not be forthcoming depending on how the facts emerge, what is certain is that the news has cast a shadow over the head of Atlas, one of boxing's most respected personalities.
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