Klitschko beats Povetkin in Moscow

Oct 5, 2013 (BBC) Volodymyr Klitschko defended his WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles with a victory over Alexander Povetkin by unanimous decision.

Russian Povetkin, who was unbeaten before the fight, was put down on three occasions in the seventh round and never really troubled the champion.

All three judges scored the fight 119-104 in 37-year-old Klitschko’s favor.

Klitschko has made 15 defences in his second spell as champion and has won 61 of his 64 professional fights.

“That was a tough bit of work, he’s a real fighter,” said Klitschko.

“I kept landing the punches, but he stayed in there.

“I believe it was a deserved win, but I think I can improve still.”

Klitschko quickly established his dominance and put Povetkin down with a short left towards the end of the season round.

With Klitschko’s jab working well, the challenger struggled to get close and was never able to build momentum.

Klitschko produced a fierce onslaught in the seventh, sending the Russian to the canvas on three occasions, although he looked to have pushed Povetkin over for two of those.

Seemingly content to coast through the rest of the fight, Klitschko was docked a point for once again throwing Povetkin to the ground in the 11th round.

Povetkin continued to battle, even after the final bell, but Klitschko’s victory never looked in doubt.

“Things didn’t quite go as well as I wanted, but I never give up,” said Povetkin.

“Of course, he was the better fighter, he’s the best in the world, that’s clear.”

Bloomberg wrote:

Russia Gets Black Eye in Heavyweight Bout

It’s not often that two countries with a common, troubled history get a chance to slug it out one-on-one. Late on Oct. 5, Russia and Ukraine did. Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion Volodymyr Klitschko met Russian contender Alexander Povetkin in the most heralded title fight of the year.

Many Ukrainians could not resist gloating at the Russian fighter’s powerlessness to stop their idol. Jokes filled social networks, with Ukrainians calling Povetkin “Chicken Kiev” and “Alexander the Hugger.”

Putin, an accomplished wrestler and mixed fighting fan, must have known that Povetkin was outmatched. Organizers expected him to come to the fight, but he didn’t show. “Putin has good advisers,” television journalist Mikhail Degtyar wrote on Facebook. “They must have understood in the Kremlin who would win.”

Tale of the tape

PHOTO

Volodymyr Klitschko celebrates with his multiple world titles after beating Alexander Povetkin