Fake WBA Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin, who for the first time in his career was prepared by Kostya Tszyu, presented himself in best form at the fully packed Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany on Saturday. He won against former champion Hasim Rahman (50-8-2, 41 KOs) within two rounds in front of 4,000 spectators, and moves towards a showdown with Wladimir Klitschko. Also on the card, Kubrat Pulev scored an impressive TKO victory over the colossus Alexander Ustinov.
The start of the fight seemed to be on level terms but very quickly, Povetkin took control. After a well-placed left hook, followed by a barrage of big blows, Rahman started tumbling. Povetkin took full advantage of the situation and continually kept the pressure on his opponent, who was not able to defend himself anymore. Therefore, the referee stopped the bout after one minute and 46 seconds of round two.
“Wladimir Klitschko takes on Mariusz Wach from Poland next. The winner has until the end of February to face Alexander inside the ring,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland afterwards. Povetkin himself is hoping for a Klitschko victory. “I would like to fight Wladimir. A fight between him and myself would be very exciting and interesting to watch,” said the successful WBA Champion.
The second heavyweight highlight of the night saw current European and IBF International Champion Kubrat Pulev take on Alexander Ustinov (27-1, 21 KOs) who resides in Belarus. Pulev won the bout in round eleven against his eight cm taller and over 50 pounds bigger oppnent. A left hook to the ear of Ustinov persuaded judge Phil Edwards to stop the fight after one minute and 28 seconds. With this victory, Kubrat Pulev will move up to the top position of the IBF-Rankings. The “Cobra” is still unbeaten after 17 fights in his professional career, with nine of those victories coming early.
Also successful on Saturday night: “Golden” Jack Culcay. The light middleweight, who just turned 27 on Wednesday, presented himself with the biggest gift by winning against Brit Mark Thompson (24-2, 14 KOs) through TKO in round five. Referee Leszek Jankowiak ended the bout after a series of punches with only twelve seconds left on the clock. Culcay’s record now stands at 13 victories out of 13 fights, with nine KOs to his record.
