Povetkin to lace gloves with Rudenko this Saturday News

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Povetkin to lace gloves with Rudenko this Saturday

By Daily Sports on June 30, 2017

Former WBA World heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin (31-1, 23 KOs) will be fighting this Saturday night on July 1 against fringe contender Andriy Rudenko (31-2, 19 KOs) in a 12 round fight for the vacant WBO International title at the Luzhniki in Moscow, Russia.

Rudenko is rated #11 WBO, #13 IBF. This is a big step down for Povetkin from his previous fight against Johann Duhaupas, who would likely make easy work of a small heavyweight like the 6-foot Rudenko.

A victory for Povetkin will move him up the World Boxing Organization’s top 15 rankings. Just how far it will push Povetkin up the rankings is the big question. He might need to achieve a No. 1 ranking for him to get a title shot, because it’s unlikely that he’ll be given a title shot without becoming the mandatory challenger to WBO champion Joseph Parker.

Povetkin, 37, will be turning 38 in September. He’s going to need to really make a major push for him to get a title shot before he hits his 40s.

This fight is being called, ‘Battle of Russia vs. Ukraine.’ Rudenko, 33, has lost twice in the last 3 years to Hughie Fury and Lucas Browne. Both guys were able to use their superior size to get the better of the smaller 6’0” Rudenko, who would probably be better off fighting at cruiserweight where his lack of size wouldn’t be such a hindrance to his success. Hughie had a fairly easy time beating Rudenko.

Povetkin needs to show that he can do a better job of beating Rudenko than Hughie Fury. it might be hard because the 6’2” Povetkin is on the small side for a heavyweight.

•Photo shows Alexander Povetkin.

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 30, 2017