• Boxing

Povetkin battles to win over Chagaev

ESPN staff
August 27, 2011
Alexander Povetkin lands a shot on Ruslan Chagaev © Getty Images
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Alexander Povetkin dug in to claim a points win over Ruslan Chagaev to claim the WBA heavyweight title.

The two heavyweights pounded at each other throughout and Povetkin showed the greater resilience to secure a 117-113, 117-113, 115-113 win on the judges' scorecards.

Chagaev withstood an early barrage from Povetkin and rocked his rival with some stinging shots in the sixth round. But Povetkin regrouped and as Chagaev tired he took control of the fight to get his hands on the belt and retain his unbeaten record.

"He is a hard fighter," Povetkin said of his beaten rival. "I respect him now more than I did before the fight."

Povetkin may well be in the sights of the Klitschko brothers, but a certain Evander Holyfied was at ringside and the veteran American may be in line for a shot at another world title.

Elsewhere, Alex Arthur returned to the ring in some style with a comprehensive fourth round knockout of Aleksander Vakhtangashvili in Edinburgh.

The former WBO super-featherweight champion, now competing at light-welterweight, put his opponent on the canvas three times before referee Victor Loughlin decided to call an end to the contest.

Arthur showed he still has a bit about him as he put Vakhtangashvili under pressure with a series of powerful body shots, and will now look to get one more warm-up fight in before challenging for a title of some form in his new weight class.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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