Alexander Povetkin vs Michael Hunter

Alexander Povetkin vs Hughie Fury

Alexander Povetkin vs David Price

Alexander Povetkin vs Christian Hammer

In what will probably go down as the most entertaining heavyweight fight of the year--at least at the highest level--Alexander Povetkin survived an extremely difficult defense of his WBA title against long-time cruiserweight titlist Marco Huck.  Many felt the 20+ lb. weight differential would prevent Huck from deploying his usual bullying tactics, but this was not the case at all, as he was able to rush and lunge at Povetkin repeatedly, exploiting the Russian's hideous balance and footwork.  For his part, Povetkin landed the cleaner, sharper combinations throughout, and, despite some controversy at the end, walked away with a really tough but deserved majority decision.

Alexander Povetkin vs. Marco Huck

Povetkin toughs out a decision over Chagaev in a fight in which he bossed the early rounds, let Chagaev gain the ascendancy in the middle rounds, and then--perhaps motivated by a pep talk from trainer Teddy Atlas invoking the spirit of his dead father--swept the championship rounds to win with room to spare. Because Wladimir Klitschko already held the IBF and WBO belts when he defeated WBA holder David Haye in July, the WBA elevated Klitschko to Super Champion, opening up their "regular" heavyweight title for Povetkin to snatch.

Alexander Povetkin vs. Ruslan Chagaev

Alexander Povetkin vs Eddie Chambers

Anthony Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin

Klitschko proves to be too big for Povetkin to manage as the Russian continually pushes his full body weight on top of Povetkin's head to wear him down. Povetkin is dropped four times in the bout, and Klitschko wins an ugly unanimous decision.