Alexander Povetkin Retires | BoxingInsider.com

By: Sean Crose

Though he by no means held a authentic world title, heavyweight Alexander Povetkin lower out a powerful profession for himself over the course of over fifteen years. With a document of 36 wins, 3 loses and 1 draw, the previous Russian Olympian has determined to retire from the game of boxing. “The years take their toll,” Povetkin introduced on social media. “I’ve all types of accidents that also should be handled. The time has come for me to finish my profession.” At forty one years of age, Povetkin can boast of getting received a WBA, in addition to a WBC belt.

He may boast of getting an an especially spectacular novice profession, one which culminated in Povetkin’s profitable a gold medal within the tremendous heavyweight division on the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Turning professional the next 12 months, he went on to win 26 in a row, incomes the prospect to face divisional kingpin Wladimir Klitschko for plenty of title belts in 2013. The struggle ended up presenting Povetkin along with his first loss, by way of unanimous choice. Povetkin went on to win his subsequent eight matches, getting a second crack at heavyweight glory in 2018 when he confronted Anthony Joshua for the Englishman’s quite a few titles.

Povetkin managed to current defending champion Joshua with a level of hassle, however was lastly stopped by the towering energy puncher within the seventh. Though it appeared Povetkin’s finest days had been behind him, he went on to attain spectacular wins in opposition to Hughie Fury and Dillian Whyte respectively. The victory over Whyte, a one punch knockout in 2020, was notably spectacular. Nonetheless, Povetkin’s final bout, a rematch in opposition to Whyte this previous March, ended with the previous world title challenger being stopped within the 4th spherical. It was sufficient for the growing older fighter to resolve it was time to hold up the gloves.

Povetkin’s profession was not with out controversy. He was purported to face Deontay Wilder for Wilder’s WBC world heavyweight title in 2016, however examined optimistic for meldonium. Though Povetkin’s workforce argued he had taken the drug earlier than it was banned, he nonetheless was by no means capable of meet Wilder within the ring. The person additionally examined optimistic for Ostarine in 2017, simply earlier than a bout with former titlist Bermane Stiverne. That struggle additionally ended up being cancelled. Povetkin was subsequently fined and quickly banned by the WBC. In an period the place the heavyweight division was largely dominated by European heavyweights, Povetkin by no means fought professionally in the US.