Alexander Povetkin (16-0, 12 KOs) made his last steps towards Wladimir Klitschko an easy one destroying Taurus Sykes (25-5-1, 7 KOs) in the fourth round. Povetkin started the first round slowly but delivered a huge counter right at the end of the stanza. The second round saw Povetkin in a hot pursuit. Sykes was down after White Lion’s combo not long before the bell rang, but referee Alexander Kalinkin didn’t rule it as a knockdown. In round three Sykes was down twice more (no knockdowns were announced) and seemingly wobbled. The end came at :48 of the fourth round after another of Povetkin’s murderous combo.