Russia's former IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin (19-0, 14 KOs) needs to have as many fights as possible before important title bouts, his coach Teddy Atlas said.

Atlas says the Russian heavyweight 2004 Olympic champion needs fights to gain experience and to have as much knowledge as possible before he approaches a title fight.

The U.S. coach, who once trained famous Mike Tyson, says Povetkin's next opponent, Nigerian heavyweight boxer Teke Oruh (14-2, 6 KOs), is a very uncomfortable fighter for the Russian as he often punches in the back of the head and clinches. This fight, he said, will be very useful for Povetkin.

Oruh is scheduled to fight Povetkin on October 16 in the Russian town of Chekhov near Moscow.

The 30-year-old Russian was supposed to square off with Ukraine's Wladimir Klitschko on September 11, but the bout was called off due to disagreements over the terms of the contract.

The Russian was also scheduled to challenge the Ukrainian on December 13, 2008, but withdrew from the fight due to a leg injury around two months before the bout.

MOSCOW, October 12 (RIA Novosti)