RAHMAN HAS LITTLE TO SAY AT GERMAN PRESS CONFERENCE

Press Release: Two very different attitudes on display in Hamburg, Germany. While Alexander Povetkin, WBA regular heavyweight champion, was happy to talk to the press and presented himself in a positive manner, challenger Hasim Rahman was quite moody at their first press conference leading up to their fight on September 29th in Hamburg. Maybe the reason for the behavior of the former world champion was the long and exhausting journey from the States. Rahman said he was upset about him not being illustrated on the promotional posters for the event. "Obviously, I am not being respected over here. For that, I will punish Povetkin inside the ring and take revenge. This is all I have got to say." Indeed, Rahman didn't give many interviews to the media afterwards.

On the other side, Povetkin was extremely communicative during his appearance. Perhaps his new trainer Kostya Tszyu, who accompanied him to Germany, inspired him. The man in his corner is a boxing icon himself: A World and European Champion as an amateur, where he won 248 out of 259 fights. Tszyu then also established himself as an excellent professional fighter, unifying the titles of the WBC, WBA and IBF at 140 pounds. Now he aims to make WBA titleholder Alexander Povetkin even more successful than he already is.

"I am very happy with my new coach, we have a great relationship. I can learn a lot from Kostya Tszyu. I have already improved my stamina while training under his supervision in my hometown of Chekhov. I am feeling really good", said Povetkin. "I promise you that I will be in great shape and will deliver an amazing fight in Hamburg. I have already fought here once before and visited my promoter Kalle Sauerland, who lives here.
Therefore, I am not going to let anyone down. But you should never underestimate a mandatory challenger. Rahman wants to win but so do I."

"This will be an exciting and thrilling championship fight", stated promoter Kalle Sauerland. "We believe in Alexander and his abilities and everybody knows, that the winner is going to get his chance against Wladimir Klitschko in 2013."