Prediction,

I think Povetkin will win this one, and by stoppage, Hammer is tough, underestimated, so he could give Povetkin some problems, I think it'll go past 6, but I see Povetkin being a long way ahead, stopping Hammer in 8-10 rounds. Hammer is a threat to Povetkin, he's 8 years younger, and although he's lost 4 fights, he's also got some very good victories, he beat Erkan Teper, he beat David Price, he has landslide wins to his name, over Sherman Williams and Kevin Johnson. Hammer did very well to get through such a torrid time against David Price, being dropped heavily, getting up, being behind after 6 rounds, and, against a bigger fighter, bouncing back with the stoppage.

Hammer won't be an easy opponent for Povetkin, I highly doubt, it isn't mission impossible, Povetkin can be hurt, he's old as well, he isn't a big guy either, in theory, Hammer, if he really takes the fight to Povetkin, drags him into deep waters, he could win this, I just don't think Hammer hits hard enough to catch Povetkin cold, Povetkin is too experienced, smart for the volume of hard shots to be something he's vulnerable to, I think in terms of all round skill, consistency, power, levels, Povetkin will be too much for Hammer.

I don't think Povetkin beats Parker, if that fight happens, he has the amateur experience, the pedigree, experience, skill, power, but his chin isn't made of iron, and he's 38, there is no substitute for youth, but Povetkin has only ever lost to Wladimir Klitschko, he's still dangerous, so he still gives anyone a tough fight, I think if it was Luis Ortiz who had a world title, that is a fight Povetkin could win, or David Haye, but I don't see Povetkin beating Parker, and even less likely, Wilder, Joshua.

That was really disappointing from Christian Hammer, it was a world title eliminator, a great opportunity, and wasn't really prepared, didn't at any point look like he had a chance of winning, or that he was going to push, reach for the win, he looked, at times, like he was there to survive, there not to get knocked out, he couldn't stop Povetkin taking rests when he wanted to, he didn't make it a tough, gruelling night for the older fighter, he let Povetkin dictate the pace, he had brief spurts of success in a few late rounds, but not enough, he couldn't rally, or even outwork Povetkin, who was winning with basic, fundamental point scoring.

That was a solid performance from Povetkin, he did all that could be expected of him, won every round, was levels above his opponent, it wasn't a spectacular performance, wasn't a lesser performance than ideal for him. I still don't think Povetkin beats Joshua, Wilder, Parker, absolutely not, but he deserves a world title shot now.