No eliminator required but look for Povetkin to fight in early 2009

Press Release: Alexander Povetkin will remain as the IBF heavyweight mandatory challlenger after an ankle injury forced him to postpone the December 13th showdown with reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko [Klitschko will fight Hasim Rahman on that date as a replacement]. IBF president Marian
W. Muhammad confirmed the news to Sauerland Event that the 29-year-old Povetkin is entitled to face the winner of Klitschko-Rahman next year. She wrote: “Mr. Povetkin will remain in the No. 1 position in the heavyweight rankings. As Wladimir Klitschko has elected to fight the next leading available contender to complete his mandatory, Mr. Povetkin will be designated the next mandatory for the winner of the bout between Wladimir Klitschko vs. Hasim Rahman. If Klitschko retains the title on December 13, Povetkin should fight in a mandatory within the next nine months.” If Rahman wins, he would have one year to make his mandatory defence against the
White Lion, the IBF president added.

Vlad Hrunov, Povetkin´s co-manager, was pleased about the decision. “We are happy that Alexander will be given the chance to fight the winner next year,” Hrunov said. “Alexander will take his time to recover from the injury and then get back in shape. I have no doubts he will be the new heavyweight champion in 2009.”

Povetkin had defeated Chris Byrd and Eddie Chambers in a four-way elimination tournament to become Klitschko´s mandatory challenger before suffering a training injury which left him with no other choice but to postpone the eagerly-anticipated meeting. „We are delighted that the IBF appreciates Alexander´s talents and keeps him in the top mandatory spot. That is where he belongs,” Meyer stated. “After consultation with his doctors Alexander will return to the ring in February or March 2009. If K2 prefer to do the mandatory early, we will be happy to oblige."