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ERFURT, Germany: Russia’s Olympic champion
Alexander Povetkin has vowed to take “one step at a time” in his
quest to be IBF champion after his impressive 11th-round victory
over American Chris Byrd.
The 29-year-old, who won gold in
the super heavyweight division of the 2004 Athens Games, stopped
Byrd on a technical knock-out here on Saturday night and is a step
away from a shot at champion Vladmimir Klitschko.
Povetkin must now battle out a
final eliminator with either Calvin Brock or Eddie Chambers, who
clash in the United States in early November, to determine the next
mandatory challenger for Klitschko.
“I am not thinking about
Klitschko just yet,” Povetkin vowed.
“I will keep working hard in
practice and take one step at a time.”
When Povetkin trapped Byrd in his
corner to launch yet another furious assault in the 11th, Byrd’s
trainer threw in the towel to give the Russian his 14th professional
win.
“This was a big win for me,”
Povetkin said. “Byrd was a strong and very experienced opponent.
He defended well but I kept trying. The win was a giant stride
towards my ultimate goal.”
From the first bell on, Povetkin
stamped his authority on the bout.
Constantly marching forward, he
was at his best when he pinned Byrd in the corner or in the ropes
and pelted him with heavy combinations.
“I have never seen my son take
so many shots,” said Byrd’s trainer and father Joe.
“I take my hat off to Povetkin.
He will be the next champion.”
 --AFP
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