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Unbeaten heavyweight contender and IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin (18-0, 13 KOs) will take on Javier Mora in Berlin on March 13. The 2004 Olympic gold medal winner will make his second fight under the guidance of star coach Teddy Atlas. In December, the 30-year-old Russian became the first man to knock out Leo Nolan, clinching a third-round KO victory in Ludwigsburg. To warm up for the hotly-anticipated showdown against Wladimir Klitschko, Povetkin needs to take care of business against Mora (22-3, 18 KOs) on the Huck-Richards card. “Everything can happen in heavyweight boxing, so I really need to be on alert,” Povetkin said. “I will of course be entering the fight as the favourite since I had a very good amateur career and I am currently the IBF´s number one. I will win this fight and show everybody that I am ready for Klitschko.”

Povetkin and Atlas have been training in New Jersey. “The training was very hard and very good,” Povetkin said. “I have learned a lot of things. Of course it will take a while until I can show them in the ring. So the fight against Mora will be another good test for me. I am looking forward to fighting in Berlin.”

Added Teddy Atlas: “I have been working on a lot of things with Alexander. We are trying to further develop his ring identity. He has always risen to the moment – that is why he was 17 and 0 when I got him. But there are still a lot of things where he could improve. We have been working very hard on that. I believe in his character and his talent. This will be another good test. He will definitely be ready once he faces Klitschko.”