Exclusive - Interview with Vladimir Hrunov on Atlas-Povetkin ‘split’

The headline in an exclusive by Ron Borges for the Sweet Scientist reported that Teddy Atlas had split with Alexander Povetkin.

The reason for this ‘split’ was a dispute about training arrangements for the Russian heavyweight.

Atlas has a longstanding engagement with ESPN as their expert boxing commentator and has just has commenced another season with ESPN.

Atlas has always been emphatic about the arrangements with Team Povetkin and has consistently stated that he will travel to Russia to train Povetkin whenever it does not interfere with his television commitments with ESPN.

At the weigh in for the Povetkin-Boswell fight in Helsinki, I asked Atlas if Russia would be the base for future training camps (Atlas spent six weeks in Russia for the Boswell fight).

“No, no, no. It’s a deal, it’s a deal," Atlas immediately responded. "When I am working for ESPN Friday Night Fights I am working, I am taking care of my family, I have a commitment, I have an obligation to ESPN that was there way before.

"When that’s the case and it is the season to work, then he comes to the United States – which he has done before, many times before. When I am off season, which is four months of the year and we have a fight then I can go to Europe.”

The deal that Atlas explained to me in Helsinki was again reaffirmed in Borges' interview.

However, Boxrec News contacted Alexander Povetkin’s manager, Vladimir Hrunov earlier today and the first question that was put forward was, if it was true that Povetkin and Atlas had parted ways?

“It is Teddy Atlas' opinion and Teddy Atlas' choice – we are awaiting him in Russia," replies Hrunov.” Hrunov elaborated further, explaining his attempt to secure an agreement for Atlas to come to Russia. “We have a possibility to make an agreement because we are ready to pay a concession because he lose the ESPN money. He knows very well this possibility but he wants to make decision that he wants. But my priority is a good situation for the fighter.

“Tell me your opinion, he (Povetkin) is based in Europe, he must move to the United States, change time, he must move back – change time again – it is no good for a fighter. It is a problem between us. I still await Teddy here.”

What about the agreement that Atlas claimed he had – to train Povetkin in the US during his ESPN schedule and in Russia whenever he is not working for ESPN?

“We have a possibility to this agreement too. Full possibility to reject time with ESPN to come to Russia, if he wants ESPN money we are ready to pay him compensation money. He knows this possibility very well too. He can come here.”

So, was Hrunov confirming that if Atlas takes time off from ESPN to come to Russia to train Sasha that he would compensate him for the money that he loses from ESPN?

“Of course, of course, of course. I am gentleman; I have respect to Teddy’s family because I know very well his wife, his sons, his daughter. But, for me it’s possible to work with Teddy.”

Atlas doesn’t want to jeopardize his main job with ESPN by taking more time off; could Hrunov understand that rationale – that by training in Russia, Atlas might jeopardize his main job at ESPN?

“He come here in July (2011), he had same situation, we paid him compensation. But he came here to train Povetkin before he fight against Chagaev. Now we have the same situation.”

At what point will Hrunov have to consider making alternative arrangements if Atlas doesn’t come to Russia? Was he not concerned that as we move closer to the Povetkin-Huck (25th February) fight that it will affect preparations?

“Then it is impossible, I think Teddy is a gentleman and Teddy coming here. Teddy is not only our trainer but is our best friend. He has to be in our corner.”

It is surprising that such a dispute has arisen, as relations between Atlas and Team Povetkin seemed to be excellent. Hrunov, when interviewed by Boxrec News recently, spoke warmly about the affect Atlas has had on Povetkin’s development. Likewise, the experienced Atlas commended Povetkin’s development and talked about the growing rapport with his fighter, with the universal language of boxing overcoming any possible language barriers.

On the eve of an important WBA title defence with Huck, the separation from one of the best trainers in boxing is far from ideal.