Povetkin earns decision over Huck to retain his WBA heavyweight title

Alexander Povetkin improved to 24-0 and retained his WBA heavyweight title with a points decision over Marco Huck. (Thomas Kienzle/Getty Images)

STUTTGART, Germany -- Three thoughts on Alexander Povetkin's decision win over Marco Huck.

I got hit with a shoe.  The pro-Huck crowd wasn't happy with the decision and I was an unintentional victim of one perturbed fan's frustration. Still, while judge Stanley Christodoulou's 116-112 card was a bit wide, the right guy won the fight. Povetkin was in control early, and Huck blew multiple opportunities to put Povetkin away. As Povetkin faded, Huck got stronger but the cruiserweight champion just couldn't land enough punches to finish Povetkin off. Povetkin's punches didn't do much damage in the later rounds but he was still throwing, still active, while Huck ignored his corner's pleas to fire more uppercuts at Povetkin's exposed chin.

Paging, Teddy Atlas.  Povetkin looked gassed from the fourth round on and you have to wonder whether being without Atlas, who split with Povetkin after Povetkin refused to train in the U.S. for this fight, had something to do with it. Povetkin's new trainer, Alexander Zimin, is accomplished but there is no question Povetkin's conditioning was subpar. Povetkin could not explain his sluggishness, telling me in the ring his training and sparring had been perfect. One of Atlas's strengths is motivation, which might be something Povetkin needs more than he thought. Reconciliation may be impossible-in interviews, Atlas said he felt betrayed by Povetkin-but Povetkin's promoter, Sauerland Event, might want to think about trying hard to get him back.

Marco Huck is a heavyweight.