Teddy Atlas explains Alexander Povetkin’s fighting strategy
After keeping mum about his undefeated heavyweight prospect since his withdrawal from a prospective fight with WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, trainer Teddy Atlas has opened up about Alexander Povetkin’s fighting strategy.
Atlas suggested he wants Povetkin to gain as much experience as possible before he faces the top contenders of his division. In effect, Atlas implied he was busy building a heavyweight competent of beating the Klitschkos brothers, both of whom currently
hold relevant titles.
"Let's look at the achievements of Wladimir [Klitschko],” Atlas mused. “It took him 37 matches to win the title. Sasha has only had 19 fights. I want him to gain experience. It's my duty. He has the title of Olympic champion and the talent. Our task is
to build experience. We must learn to work under pressure, exactly work out an entire 12 rounds, and to understand what you're doing in the ring.”
To substantiate his case, Atlas likened his task to that of constructing a building, brick by brick with his fighter. “Our work is comparable with the erection of a building [...] But where is the cement that bonded this masonry, consisting of faith, understanding
yourself, reliability? The cement is the experience, expertise and more experience. So, when going up against the opponents of the highest class, my fighter will know exactly what to do and not just move around at random."
Povetkin (19-0, 14 KOs) is widely considered one of the top heavyweight prospects in the world. He enjoyed astonishing success as an amateur, winning four gold medals in as many national competitions, and closed the book on his amateur career with a record
of 125-7.
Atlas is a celebrated boxing trainer and commentator. Aside from training Povetkin, he is best known for training Michael Moorer and helping him beat Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight title in 1997. Atlas was also closely affiliated with Mike Tyson
in his early days.
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