AFP photo / Artyom Korotayev

High stakes for boxing’s Russian Knight Povetkin

President of the international boxing federation Marian Muhammad has already made her way to the Moscow region to take part in the ring opening ceremony.

“This is a gorgeous venue,” she said. “It’s fairly new, five years old I was told, but it looks like it was constructed well. For the region here I don’t think you could have picked a better arena for the fight.”

Both Sykes and Povetkin have a lot to gain, and much to lose, come Saturday night.

Should the Russian Knight win, he will be facing Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko for his IBF heavyweight title as early as this autumn.

But he is risking that title shot chance against Taurus Sykes. The American Bull is looking to make a strong comeback after loosing on points to Hasim Rahman last year.

“Taurus Sykes has been there with some very tough fights,” said Daryl J. Peoples, chairman of the IBF ratings committee. “This is not going to be an easy opponent for Aleksander. And it’s a tremendous risk for him.”

Bookmakers are convinced that Sykes will be a walkover for Povetkin - giving the American fighter ten to one odds.

But Taurus has already mentioned that he will only be looking for a win and he's planning to finish things early.

His promoter David Sirota is also convinced that Povetkin will be the first fighter to hit the floor of the newly inaugurated ring.

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