By Ian S Palmer
Former WBA heavyweight titleholder 34-year-old Alexander Povetkin of Russia and 29-year-old Manuel Charr of Germany, are scheduled to meet in Moscow this Friday, May 30 in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBC International Championship. Charr will climb through the ring ropes with a record of 26-1 with 15 Kos while Povetkin enters the fight with a mark of 26-1 with 18 Kos. Charr has won his last five bouts with four of them coming by way of stoppage.
Charr’s last loss came back in September of 2012 when he was halted by former WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in Moscow in the fourth round. Klitschko has since given up the belt as he’s been elected as mayor of Kiev, Ukraine and has retired from boxing. Bermaine Stiverne is the new WBC titleholder after stopping Chris Arreola earlier in May. Charr’s last fight was just a few weeks ago as he topped American Kevin Johnson by a unanimous decision.
Charr said he’s proud to have been chosen as an opponent for Povetkin and believes it will be a great contest. He feels if he can earn a win he should get another shot at a world title in the near future, likely against Stiverne. Charr said if he beats Povetkin he’s positive he can then go on to take the title and he promised the late WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman that’s exactly what he’s going to do, become a world heavyweight champion.
Povetkin has also faced a Klitschko as he took on Wladimir, who is the WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight king, last October. However, he didn’t fare too well either as he was dropped in the second round and also hit the deck three more times in the seventh. He also ended up losing his title shot by a unanimous decision.
So here we have two boxers who have each lost just once in their pro careers and the losses have come in world title shots against a Klitschko. Charr said he’s very familiar with Moscow and believes the fans will be behind him there, which will give him an edge.
Charr added that he’s already in great shape since he fought just a few weeks ago against Johnson and also believes that’s another advantage he’ll have over Povetkin. Charr has fought a few B Grade boxers in his career while Povetkin’s taken on a better grade of opponent in the likes of Eddie Chambers, Hasim Rahman, Chris Byrd, and Ruslan Chagaev. Give Povetkin the edge in experience while Charr gets the nod in height with a 1.5- inch advantage and in age at five year’s Povetkin’s junior.
Prediction
Both guys have decent power and since they’re heavyweights can do some damage with one punch. However, this fight should go quite a few rounds or perhaps the distance. Povetkin will have some ring rust to fight through, but overall he’s simply the better boxer. Look for him to take the vacant title by decision or perhaps a late stoppage.
