The tension is building. Saturday’s big fight night is just around the
corner. Three title fights are scheduled and they all have one thing in
common. The WBA Heavyweight Championship between Alexander Povetkin (24-0,
16 KOs) and Hasim Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KOs), Kubrat Pulev´s (16-0, 8 KOs)
European and IBF International Heavyweight Championship defence against
Alexander Ustinov (27-0, 21 KOs) and the WBA Intercontinental Championship
bout between Jack Culcay (12-0, 8 KOs) and Mark Thompson (24-1, 14 KOs) are
all likely to end prematurely. It would be a surprise if all of them would
last the distance.
Convinced of an early success is Hasim Rahman. Once again, the 39-year-old
stated his intentions of knocking out current WBA Champion Alexander
Povetkin and taking his throne. “I’m happy that I got the chance for the
title. I’m completely focused on myself and it doesn’t matter who is in
front of me. I will knock Povetkin out.” But how quickly could he end the
bout? “Between rounds one and twelve,“ said the challenger. Also in good
spirits was Alexander Povetkin. “My preparation has been going really well.
I have a lot of respect for Hasim Rahman and his experience,“ said the
33-year-old. His coach Kostya Tszyu added: “Since we started working
together, Alexander has progressed about 40 percent.” Therefore, Team
Povetkin has every reason to be optimistic.
The same principal applies for the defending European and IBF International
Heavyweight Champion Kubrat Pulev. Lately, the prodigy of Coach Otto Ramin
has been riding on a wave of success. “Ever since I won the European title,
Bulgaria has been pretty much ecstatic. Whenever I walk along the streets,
the people recognise me. That motivates me even more to defend my two titles
come Saturday night,” said the 31-year-old, who is known as a joker if he is
not inside the squared circle. However, inside the ring it is all about
serious business. And his opponent Alexander Ustinov is very well aware of
that. The 140 Kilo colussus stated: “If the opportunity for a knockout
arises I will take it.”
The fight for the WBA Intercontinental Championship between Jack Culcay and
Mark Thompson also has the potential to end early. “I said before that I am
not travelling all the way to Germany to lose. I will do what I have to do.
If an opportunity presents itself, I will take it,” said the man from
Heywood near Manchester via a pre-recorded video. But Culcay, who turned 27
today, does not want anyone to spoil his party in front of the home crowd.
“His record is definitely the most dangerous one out of all of my opponents
so far. But in Hamburg I will prove, that I’m the better man,” said the
German light middleweight.