Thomas Niedermueller - Bongarts/Getty Images
Alexander Povetkin is having trouble getting Teddy Atlas over to Russia for his training camp. (Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Though Alexander Povetkin himself isn't making any comments on the matter, his manager Vladimir Hryunov is making clear that he's grown more than a little impatient with the fighter's American trainer, and that they have a replacement lined up if Teddy Atlas doesn't soon join camp for Povetkin's February 25 fight against Marco Huck.
"Two American sparring partners are already in Chekhov, while two more are coming to replace them very soon. Teddy Atlas knows this but he is still in the States ... There’s an item in Teddy’s contract which addresses [the ESPN situation] and clarifies it with sufficient details. The situation can be compared with the flow of events in summer, when Atlas visited Russia and was financially indemnified for his activities. This time Atlas was offered to come to Russia on Monday (Jan. 16) and he was offered compensation for any possible conflicts with ESPN in regards to any missed dates."
Once again, the hold-up appears to be as it was last summer, before Povetkin fought Ruslan Chagaev, when Atlas chose to favor his commitments to ESPN Friday Night Fights over the fighter.
Povetkin (23-0, 16 KO) and Huck (34-1, 25 KO) are lined up for what could be a very good, very competitive fight, and though Povetkin is the naturally bigger man and the favorite, Huck is not the sort of guy he can afford to take lightly. If Atlas doesn't join the team, Bild says that Russian trainer Alexander Zimin will take over officially. Zimin is currently leading the camp.
Sauerland Event, Povetkin's promoter, have offered no real opinion on the matter, though they have confirmed hearing about the Zimin rumors.
I don't understand the Atlas-Povetkin partnership, really -- it seems like this sort of thing comes up far too often, and despite winning that paper title, Atlas has not made Povetkin any better a fighter than he already was years ago. It just seems like more headache than it's really worth, and one would be forgiven for believing that Povetkin's Russian team would like to edge Atlas out the door.
0 recs | 8 comments
I read somewhere, I think it was TSS though not sure, that Atlas said that this is all posturing because they know he won’t go to Russia during the FNF season. He said that that was the agreement and he will never leave FNF because that’s how he feeds his family.
Apprentice - January 22, 2012
Can’t remember the broadcast, but I’m sure I heard him say the same thing on the air, no confusion about it, never has been. It was always the agreement that the kid would train here if the fight were to be held during the FNF season. That is, he’s glad to train the kid here at any time, FNF season notwithstanding, but will not leave the US when the show is airing. Seems reasonable to me. I believe also that Atlas would go to Russia for the fight itself at Povetkin’s team’s expense, which may be what the Russian manager is referencing, but not for a full training camp, as he is inferring.
BoxAnne - January 22, 2012
I think Povetkin’s team have always wanted to edge Atlas out the door. Atlas takes care of the fighter, the team thinks more of themselves.
BoxAnne - January 22, 2012
Good point.
Boss Man - January 22, 2012
Whatever the reasons, this is quite a hassle, regarding that the fight is just one month away. This should be going in Huck’s favour.
DrHenrik - January 22, 2012
seems like the best thing for both sides might be to go in different directions. I understand Atlas got them to agree to the deal but I think the nature of the FNF schedule as opposed to say HBO makes it impractical.
moidadabum - January 22, 2012
Just hope it means he grows some balls and gets more competitive fights. Huck is a good start though.
Shitali Klitschko - January 22, 2012 via mobile
I think it’s best that they part ways. It really does seem like too much of a hassle. The biggest effect Atlas has ever had on Povetkin was advising him to turn down fighting Wladimir in order to “get him more ready” which was, in my opinion, silly.
Kory Kitchen - January 22, 2012
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