Four potential heavyweight champions participated in today’s public work-out in Erfurt ahead of Saturday’s big Sauerland Event card in Germany. Alexander Povetkin (21-0, 15 KOs) and Ruslan Chagaev (27-1-1, 17 KOs) clash for the vacant WBA Heavyweight Title, while WBA/WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Robert Helenius (15-0, 10 KOs) looks to complete his KO hat-trick of former champions when he takes on Siarhei Liakhovich (25-3, 16 KOs). Below, find some photos and quotes from the fighters and their public workout session this afternoon.
The Nordic Nightmare, who has already destroyed Lamon Brewster and Sam Peter, is confident of success. Helenius was the first of the four heavyweights to show his skills during an open session at the Thüringen-Park shopping mall. “It was in Erfurt where I clinched the first major title of my career when I stopped Gregory Tony last year to become the EU champion,” he said.
“I will never forget the fantastic support of the fans. I hope Saturday night will be as successful.” Liakhovich has other plans. “I have been training for this fight very, very long and I am very optimistic. I can only suggest the fans to tune in to this fight, the outcome might be very surprising.”
Former WBA Heavyweight Champion Ruslan Chagaev, who dethroned then-unbeaten Nikolai Valuev in April 2007, also gave the fans a taste of his class, working the pads and doing shadow boxing. “I am very determined to win back my title and become champion again,” he stated.
“Povetkin is a strong opponent and I expect a tough fight.” While Chagaev showed his punching power, Povetkin’s work-out focused on the defense. “I am ready to go and can’t wait for Saturday,” he stated. “I have a lot of respect for Chagaev but I am very optimistic I will win.”
