Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin defended his WBA champion belt by knocking out U.S. challenger Cedric Boswell in the eighth round in Helsinki.
Povetkin (23-0, 16KOs) and Boswell (35-2, 26 KO) were fairly even through the first four rounds, but the Russian took the lead after a successful attack in the sixth round and continued to dominate through the seventh.
After a series of punches in the eighth, 42-year-old Boswell was down onto the canvas and couldn't beat the count.
Povetkin, 32, took the vacant World Boxing Association heavyweight title on a unanimous points decision in Erfurt, Germany, on August 27 in a bout against Ruslan Chagaev from Uzbekistan.
The current WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck (34-1, 25 KOs) said later on Sunday he would like to face Povetkin in the boxing ring.
"I would like to fight Povetkin,” Huck said. “I’m sure it would be a good, interesting bout.”
“I’m ready for any challenge,” Povetkin replied. “But let him gain weight first. Denis Lebedev failed to knock him out, then I will.”
