(Source: http://www.gazeta.ru/sport)

Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin knocked Manuel Charr in the seventh round during the fight for the vacant title of world champion under WBC International heavy weight version.

The match took place on Friday in Moscow's Luzhniki concert hall. For Povetkin it was the first fight since his only defeat in his career, when he unconditionally lost to Vladimir Klitschko. Charr, same as the Russian, had in his account 26 fights and only one defeat. Charr already fought Klitschko in Moscow, though then his rival was Vitaly, whom he also conceded.

That duel was stopped due to a severe cut sustained by the German-Syrian boxer. Povetkin was found 10 kilograms lighter than his opponent, and it was evident from the outset of the match: the Russian was steadily moving around, trying to attack, but Charr just marked time closing himself, repeatedly passing the blows. Povetkin easily dodged fists of German-Syrian boxer.

Charr actively finished the third round carrying out three decent jabs, but then Povetkin acted more and more confident, constantly gaining advantage. German-Syrian boxer missed more punches and almost did not fight back. In the sixth round he fell over the ropes, but the gong did not let Povetkin to finish off the opponent. It all ended in the seventh round: another uppercut performed by Russians reached the goal. Charr reeled and Povetkin knocked him out with a series of side blows.

The referee did not even bother to open the score and awarded the victory to the Russian boxer. For Charr it was the first defeat in his career. The German-Syrian boxer who even announced his intention to stay and live in Moscow before the fight, conceded his defeat and for long time congratulated the winner, waving the Russian flag. Povetkin, in turn, said that he wants to get to the title fights and to meet Vladimir Klitschko again.