WBA heavyweight regular champion Alexander Povetkin is happy to be the underdog in a potential clash with Wladimir Klitschko.
The Russian boxer retained his title in emphatic style late Saturday against former WBC, IBO and IBF champion Hasim Rahman with a second-round stoppage in Hamburg, Germany.
He hopes it will earn him a shot at Klitschko's WBA, IBF and WBO belts before March, and is unfazed that the Ukrainian is likely to be the bookies' favorite.
"I accept it easily, it’s normal," Povetkin said. "I don’t pay attention to it. I know that there are people around me who believe in me and that give me strength.”
Povetkin's coach Kostya Tszyu says the underdog tag could play into his charge's hands.
“Let everyone think that Povetkin has next to no chance,” said Tszyu, a four-time world light welterweight champion. “This gives us a tactical advantage; we will think how we can use it.”
Klitschko first must contend with Poland’s Mariusz Wach on November 10.
The 33-year-old Povetkin is unbeaten with 17 career knockouts in 25 fights, while the Ukrainian, 36, sustained three losses in 61 bouts, the last against Lamon Brewster of the U.S. in 2004.
