Alexander Povetkin vs. Hasim Rahman (Preview)
By: Travis Kennedy
Hamburg, Germany — WBA Heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin looks to add a veteran name to his resume this Saturday September 29th, in Alsterdorf, Hamburg. Povetkin is set to face off against veteran heavyweight Hasim Rahman (50-7). Rahman hasn’t fought since June 11th, 2011 when he beat Galen Brown by TKO in the sixth round. Povetkin (24-0) last fought in February 2012 when he retained his Heavyweight title against Marco Huck. Many observers actually felt that Povetkin was given a generous decision in this fight. Povetkin was hurt many times and appeared to come into this fight out of shape. Nonetheless, Povetkin is an undefeated fighter and is one of the top heavyweights fighting today. It seems the general public only pays attention to a heavyweight fight that involves a Klitschko brother, but this fight really has the ingredients to be an exciting fight and more than likely end in a knockout.
Alexander Povetkin has an interesting style. I have seen him fight very patient and methodical, and have also seen him fight an aggressive fight. It appears to me he is most successful when he does a little bit of both. Povetkin won the WBA title after defeating Ruslan Chagaev in August 2011 by unanimous decision. Povetkin has some good fighters on his resume including: Chris Byrd, Eddie Chambers, Jason Estrada, and Marco Huck. Povetkin has also added former champion Kostya Tszyu in his corner to assist him. This should definitely be a very beneficial addition to his team.
Not only is Alexander Povetkin undefeated in his professional career, but he also has a very extensive amateur background as well. He started out as a kick boxer in 1997, and won 1st place in four competitions up through 2000. At this point he switched from kickboxing to boxing, and competed the next four years as an amateur. Povetkin won multiple competitions starting with the Russian Championships in 2000 at the young age of 21. He would go on to also win the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia in 2001; the 34th European Championship in 2002; the XII World Championship in 2003 in Thailand; and the 34th European Championship in 2004. Povetkin then topped off his amateur career with an impressive gold medal win at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Povetkin concluded his amateur career with a record of 125-7, with all his losses avenged. There is no doubt in my mind that this vast amateur experience is what helped shape Alexander Povetkin into the undefeated fighter he is today.
Hasim Rahman is best known in the sport of boxing as the man that shockingly defeated Lennox Lewis by knockout in the fifth round in 2001. Rahman was a 20-1 underdog that night and won the heavyweight championship with a vicious one-punch knockout of Lewis. I can still remember watching this fight and enjoying every minute of the action. I was shocked to see Rahman win this fight in such fashion. Lennox Lewis had not lost a fight in seven years and was still in his prime. Due to an immediate- rematch clause in their contract these two fought again six months later. This time, Lewis knocked Rahman out in the fourth round. Rahman took a comeback fight next against an aging Evander Holyfield. Unfortunately, Rahman came up short and lost by a technical decision after multiple headbutts from Holyfield caused extreme swelling and a severe hematoma on Rahman’s forehead. Rahman next fought to a draw with David Tua, then lost to John Ruiz. Rahman hadn’t won a fight in two years and desperately needed to get back on track if he was going to remain a threat in the heavyweight division. Rahman took a comeback fight with Alfred Cole, and was able to win a unanimous decision. Including the Cole fight, Rahman went on to win six fights in a row before fighting to a draw with the great James Toney. Rahman and Toney would meet once more two years later, but the fight was ruled a no contest. Initially, Toney was rewarded a TKO victory after Rahman was unable to continue due to a cut over his left eye. But after a thorough review of the bout, the outcome was reversed a few weeks later to a no-contest due to the accidental headbutt which caused a stoppage of the contest. Rahman next faced Wladimir Klitschko for the IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles. Klitschko won the bout by TKO in the seventh round. Rahman has only fought five fights since then, but he has won every one by knockout. At 39 years old, it will be interesting to see just how much Hasim Rahman has left in the gas tank, and how he will respond at this stage of his career when facing a quality opponent.
Hasim Rahman is a veteran fighter I grew up watching along with many other 90’s and early 2000 heavyweights. This was an era when the heavyweights still dominated and the division was stacked with talent. Heavyweights such as: Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Wladimir Klitschko, Lennox Lewis, and James Toney were all producing quality fights with quality opponents. Rahman has always been known as a dangerous power puncher who can end the fight with one punch. He was knocked down twice against Corrie Sanders, and came back to knock out Sanders in the seventh round. If Povetkin isn’t careful, he could very easily get dropped by one of Rahman’s vicious punches.
At about an 8-1 favorite, its quite hard to imagine Alexander Povetkin losing this fight. With his extensive amateur experience, undefeated professional record, and his youth on his side, I look for Povetkin to win this fight by stoppage. Hasim Rahman will have some good moments in this fight. Rahman has definitely faced the better competition in his career, but with his prime well behind him this should be a tough fight against a worthy young opponent. It’s also been five years since Rahman has went the full distance. At 39 years old I am just not sure how he will handle the later rounds. If Povetkin can avoid the early onslaught Rahman will bring, he should be able to successfully defend his WBA Heavyweight title this Saturday night!
(Epix and EpixHD.com, 4:30 p.m. ET) at the Sporthalle in Hamburg, Germany
We are always looking for new talent for the fastest growing US and UK based, Combat website. We have openings for the following positions – Internet Sales Advertising, Boxing Correspondents, MMA Correspondents and voluntary Radio Correspondents. There are also plenty of advertising and sponsorship opportunities available on our website for your business.
If you are a career minded individual and serious about starting a career or continuing your career in combat journalism, our contacts are below.
RCM Main contact: [email protected]
RCM UK & Ireland contact: [email protected]
RCM Greece contact: [email protected]
RCM Radio contact: [email protected]
RCM MMA contact: [email protected]
RCM UK Advertising contact: [email protected]
RCM MMA Advertising contact: [email protected]
Add us to your circle on GOOGLE PLUS Real Combat Media
JOIN OUR BOXING & MMA DISCUSSION FORUMS : REAL COMBAT MEDIA FORUMS
COMMENTS
Editor in Chief
We are the Editorial staff for the top independent international boxing and mma online publication since 2012. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @realcombatmedia. For breaking news reports, contact us at [email protected] and for advertising or consulting inquiries, email us at [email protected].
English