EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ALEXANDER POVETKIN

Thanks for coming back on Boxingtalk. What's the latest with you? When can we expect to see you in the ring?

Alexander Povetkin: I think in July. My management plans a fight versus a well-known boxer. I have already started my preparation. I am working on general conditioning now.

GL: You are the IBF mandatory contender. What do you think of Wladimir Klitschko fighting Tony Thompson before you?

AP: The IBF forwarded us Klitschkoґs request to fight Thompson first and we turned it down. Klitschko asked the IBF for an exception and they voted to give him that exception. If I was in Klitschkoґs place, I would not have applied to delay our meeting. But now I am happy that I have a concrete date. I have a decision of the IBF that my fight against him will be no later than November 26, 2008. So I will be waiting for the day to come. But looking at the things that have happened this time, I rather think that Klitschko will be trying to get around fighting me. Also, I would like to note that I participated in a tournament of four top boxers chosen by the IBF. I won this tournament, meaning that for the first time in many years, the number one became the number because of a fair fight and not because people said that he is the best. I really appreciate that the IBF gave me this chance and the possibility to build my career myself instead of waiting to be chosen. I really believe this way is the best because there is nothing subjective in it. It is absolutely objective, whoever wins is the first.

GL: In a perfect world do you think Wladimir and Sam Peter would be unifying their titles while you and Thompson fight to determine the one true mandatory who would then fight the unified champion?

AP: Wladimir has already fought Sam Peter, and I believe just like the last time out - if they met again no one would be 100% dominating. I like the aggressive way of boxing. And I find that a KO is the best way to show that you are better boxer than your opponent. But when we are talking of boxing between the best of the best, it often looks differently. Even the fight between Klitschko and Ibragimov was not impressive. I do not believe that a second fight between Klitschko and Peter would look better. I vote for exciting boxing so that people do not fall asleep when they watch it. That is why I believe the way it goes now is better and not worth the way it would go in your perfect world.

GL: What do you think of Wladimir as a fighter?

AP: He has perfect career, which I am sure is a result of a lot of hard work.

GL: What did you think of his last performance [decision over Sultan Ibragimov]?

AP: You know what I think makes up exciting boxing, as I said before. In spite of that, Wladimir is a good, very professional boxer. I believe Sultan could show better boxing and make real problems for Klitschko, but people are people and not machines, sometimes they work worse than [their potential].