WBA Heavyweight Title Fight Announced: Povetkin vs Chagaev
Povetkin, Chagaev clash for vacant WBA Heavyweight Title on August 27 / Helenius to face Liakhovich
Alexander Povetkin (21-0, 15 KOs) and Ruslan Chagaev (27-1-1, 17 KOs) will clash for the vacant WBA Heavyweight Title in Erfurt on August 27. In the co-featured main event, WBA & WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Robert Helenius will collide with Siarhei Liakhovich. “It is going to be a fantastic night of heavyweight boxing,” promoter Kalle Sauerland said. “This will be a great treat for boxing fans all around the world.”
After Wladimir Klitschko added the WBA belt to his IBF & WBO titles, the WBA made him super champion and the title became vacant. Top-ranked Chagaev and Povetkin, the number two, now fight for the title. “I am really looking forward to the fight,” Povetkin stated. The 31-year-old, unbeaten in 21 fights, would have loved to fight for the title at an earlier stage, but the death of his father put him through a rough spell last year. “That´s past history now,” Kalle Sauerland added. “Alexander needed some time to get over the sad news. But now he is ready for a world title fight. He has always been one of the most talented heavyweight contenders out there. Now he will finally capture the title.”
Chagaev will be eager to regain the title he once won from The Russian Giant Nikolai Valuev in April 2007. “It is going to be an exciting fight of two equally talented fighters,” Universum boss Klaus-Peter Kohl said. “Both had great amateur careers and won world championships, Povetkin even won the Olympic gold medal. Both have a similar physical constitution, but Ruslan has already been world champion as professional. I am convinced he will accomplish his goal of winning the title again.”
In the co-featured main event, rising heavyweight contender Robert Helenius (15-0, 10 KOs) will be looking to claim the scalp of Siarhei Liakhovich (25-3, 16 KOs) as he defends his WBA & WBO Intercontinental Titles. The “Nordic Nightmare” knocked out Sam Peter in his last fight in April. He is ranked 2nd at the WBO and 3rd at the IBF. “Robert has a great future ahead,” coach Ulli Wegner stated. “He keeps progressing and he certainly has the talent to be world champion. Liakhovich is a very tough opponent and Robert will be perfectly prepared once he steps through the ropes.”