Povetkin stays unbeaten

Russian Alexander Povetkin confirmed himself as the IBF mandatory challenger to Wladimir Klitschko when he stopped American Taurus Sykes.

Russian on course to challenge Klitschko

Russian Alexander Povetkin confirmed himself as the IBF mandatory challenger to Wladimir Klitschko when he stopped American Taurus Sykes in the fourth round of their heavyweight bout in Chekhov. Povetkin, taking his record to 16 consecutive wins, was all over his opponent from the second round onwards, finding the target with the right hand on a regular basis. It was the same punch that floored Sykes - who had previously lost to Samuel Peter and Hasim Rahman - and the 33-year-old failed to beat the count. "The whole world wants to see this fight," said Povetkin on a potential dust-up with Klitschko. "First of all, the negotiations need to be completed, and when everything is in place, I want to fight him. "I would be very disappointed if Klitschko ducked out." Briton's David Haye has been calling out Klitschko, who also holds the WBO title, but having had just one fight at heavyweight the former undisputed cruiserweight champion will undoubtedly be made to wait his turn.