Alexander Povetkin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alexander Povetkin Алекса́ндр Пове́ткин
Povetkin in 2015
Statistics
Nickname(s)	Sasha Russian Vityaz White Lion
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	1.88 m
Reach	190 cm
Nationality	Russian
Born	(1979-09-02) 2 September 1979 (age 45) Kursk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	40
Wins	36
Wins by KO	25
Losses	3
Draws	1
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  Russia Olympic Games Gold 2004 Athens Super-heavyweight World Championships Gold 2003 Bangkok Super-heavyweight European Championships Gold 2002 Perm Super-heavyweight Gold 2004 Pula Super-heavyweight European Junior Championships Gold 2002 Perm Super-heavyweight Strandzha Cup Gold 2002 Bulgaria Super-heavyweight Gold 2003 Bulgaria Super-heavyweight

Alexander Vladimirovich Povetkin (born 2 September 1979) is a Russian former professional boxer. He was known by nicknames like "Sasha," "Russian Vityaz," and "White Lion." He competed as a professional from 2005 to 2021. Povetkin held the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title from 2011 to 2013. He also held the World Boxing Council (WBC) interim heavyweight title from 2020 to 2021. He challenged for the unified heavyweight championship twice, in 2013 and 2018.

Before becoming a professional, Povetkin had a very successful amateur career. He won gold medals in the super-heavyweight division at the European Championships in 2002 and 2004. He also won gold at the World Championships in 2003 and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. After turning professional in 2005, he won his first major title, the WBA (Regular) title, in 2011 by defeating Ruslan Chagaev. He defended this title five times. In 2013, he faced Wladimir Klitschko for several major titles and lost for the first time in his professional career. In 2018, he challenged Anthony Joshua for more titles but lost in the seventh round.

Povetkin was often ranked among the top heavyweights by BoxRec from 2006 to 2020. He also won the WBC KO of the Year and Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year awards in 2020 for his impressive knockouts.

Becoming a Champion: Amateur Career Highlights

Alexander Povetkin started his fighting journey with kickboxing. He won the World Junior championship in 1997 and a World title in 1999. He also became a European professional kickboxing champion in 2000. At 21, he won his first big boxing tournament at the Russian Championships in 2000.

This was just the start of his amazing amateur boxing career. He won the Good Will Games in Australia in 2001. He also won the European Championship in 2002 and 2004. In 2003, he became a World Champion in Thailand. His biggest amateur success was winning the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He won the super-heavyweight division. He finished his amateur career with an impressive record of 125 wins and only 7 losses.

Professional Boxing Journey

Starting Strong: Early Career (2005-2007)

Alexander Povetkin began his professional boxing career in 2005. He quickly built a perfect record of 12 wins with no losses. His first notable victory came on 30 June 2007. He defeated experienced boxer Larry Donald by a unanimous decision in Moscow. This win helped him gain attention in the boxing world.

Climbing the Ranks: IBF Title Tournament (2007–2011)

After beating Larry Donald, Povetkin continued to show he was a promising heavyweight. On 27 October 2007, he faced Chris Byrd, a former champion. Povetkin won by an 11th-round technical knockout (TKO). Byrd's corner stopped the fight because he was taking too much damage.

Next, Povetkin faced Eddie Chambers on 26 January 2008. He won by unanimous decision. This victory made him the official challenger for the IBF heavyweight title. On 19 July 2008, Povetkin knocked out Taurus Sykes in the fourth round, showing his power.

WBA Champion: Holding the Belt (2011–2013)

Winning the WBA Title: Povetkin vs. Chagaev

In 2011, the WBA "Regular Champion" title became available. Alexander Povetkin was set to fight former WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev for this title. The fight happened on 27 August 2011. Povetkin won by a unanimous decision, becoming the WBA (Regular) heavyweight champion. Both boxers fought hard, but Povetkin landed more punches and showed great strength.

First Defenses: Povetkin vs. Boswell and Huck

Povetkin's first title defense was against 42-year-old American boxer Cedric Boswell on 3 December 2011. Povetkin won the fight by an 8th-round knockout (KO). He dropped Boswell with a combination of punches, and Boswell couldn't get back up.

His second defense was against Marco Huck, a cruiserweight champion, on 25 February 2012. This was a tough fight for Povetkin. He won by a majority decision, meaning two judges scored it for him, and one scored it a draw. Povetkin admitted he might have underestimated Huck.

More Defenses: Povetkin vs. Rahman and Wawrzyk

After the Huck fight, Povetkin defended his title against former WBC world champion Hasim Rahman on 29 September 2012. Povetkin won quickly, stopping Rahman in the second round with a TKO. Rahman was against the ropes and not fighting back, so the referee stopped the fight.

In May 2013, before a big fight with Wladimir Klitschko, Povetkin fought Andrzej Wawrzyk. He won by TKO in the third round. Povetkin dropped Wawrzyk three times before the referee stopped the fight.

Big Challenge: Povetkin vs. Klitschko

In October 2013, Alexander Povetkin faced Wladimir Klitschko, who held several major heavyweight titles. This was a huge fight, with many people watching in Europe. Klitschko won by a unanimous decision. He knocked Povetkin down several times during the fight. Despite the loss, the fight was very popular in Russia.

Coming Back Strong: Return Victories (2014–2015)

After his loss to Klitschko, Povetkin changed his training. On 30 May 2014, he fought Manuel Charr and won the vacant WBC International title. Povetkin stopped Charr in the 7th round with a powerful three-punch combination.

In October 2014, Povetkin challenged Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver heavyweight title. This was an exciting fight. Povetkin won by a 10th-round KO. He landed a strong left hook that knocked Takam down, and the referee stopped the fight. This knockout was even named "Knockout of the Year" by BoxingScene.com.

More Wins: Povetkin vs. Perez and Wach

On 22 May 2015, Povetkin fought Mike Perez in a fight that would decide who would challenge for the WBC heavyweight title. Povetkin won by TKO in the first round, knocking Perez down quickly. This earned him a shot at the world title.

In November 2015, Povetkin fought Mariusz Wach. He won by TKO in the 12th round, keeping his WBC Silver title. Povetkin pushed Wach around the ring and landed many combinations.

Challenging for Titles Again (2016–2018)

Fight Cancellations and Return

In 2016, Povetkin was set to fight WBC World Champion Deontay Wilder. However, the fight was postponed due to some issues. Later, he was scheduled to fight Bermane Stiverne for an interim title, but that fight was also cancelled.

Despite these setbacks, Povetkin fought Johann Duhaupas on short notice in December 2016. He dominated the fight and knocked out Duhaupas in the 6th round.

Getting Back in the Ring (2017-2018)

After some time away, Povetkin returned to boxing in July 2017. He fought Andriy Rudenko in Moscow and won by a clear unanimous decision. He also won the WBO International and WBA Continental titles.

In December 2017, Povetkin fought Christian Hammer in a fight to become the mandatory challenger for the WBA title. Povetkin won by a wide unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

Big Fights: Povetkin vs. Price and Joshua

On 31 March 2018, Povetkin fought David Price. Povetkin won by knockout in the 5th round. He hurt Price with a right hand, then finished him with a left hook. This win put Povetkin in line to challenge Anthony Joshua.

On 22 September 2018, Povetkin faced Anthony Joshua for the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles at Wembley Stadium in London. Povetkin started strong, hurting Joshua early in the fight. However, Joshua came back and won by TKO in the 7th round. Joshua landed a left hand that dropped Povetkin, and then finished the fight with more punches.

After this fight, Povetkin's promoter said he might retire after two more fights.

Later Career and Retirement (2019–2021)

After recovering from an elbow operation, Povetkin returned to the ring in August 2019. He scored a unanimous decision win against Hughie Fury in London.

In December 2019, Povetkin faced Michael Hunter. The fight ended in a split decision draw, meaning the judges couldn't agree on a winner. Both fighters wanted a rematch.

Winning an Interim Title: Povetkin vs. Whyte

On 22 August 2020, Povetkin fought Dillian Whyte for the WBC interim heavyweight title. Whyte started well and knocked Povetkin down twice in the fourth round. However, just 30 seconds into the fifth round, Povetkin landed a powerful uppercut that knocked Whyte out cold. This amazing knockout won Povetkin the WBC interim heavyweight title.

Rematch and Retirement: Povetkin vs. Whyte II

Povetkin's first defense of his WBC interim title was an immediate rematch against Dillian Whyte on 27 March 2021. The fight took place in Gibraltar. Povetkin lost the fight by technical knockout in the fourth round, and Whyte regained the title. After this fight, Povetkin's promoter suggested he should end his career due to health concerns.

On 13 June 2021, Alexander Povetkin officially announced his retirement from boxing at the age of 41. He mentioned that he had injuries that needed treatment and that it was time for him to stop fighting.

Personal Life

Alexander Povetkin has a daughter named Arina from his first marriage. In July 2013, he married Yevgenia Merkulova. His brother, Vladimir Povetkin, is also a professional boxer. Alexander Povetkin follows a traditional Slavic faith, wearing a Perun Axe necklace and having the Star of Rus tattooed on his arm.

In May 2024, Povetkin was appointed Deputy Governor of Vologda Oblast, a region in Russia.

Professional boxing record

Television viewership

Germany

Russia

Ukraine

UK pay-per-view bouts

See Also

• List of world heavyweight boxing champions
• List of WBA world champions
• List of Olympics medalists in boxing
• Boxing at the 2004 Summer Olympics