The bout is widely seen as a step back for the 2004 Olympic champion, who has been touted for the IBF heavyweight title bouts against Vladimir Klitschko in the last two years.

Injuries and contract disputes have cost him a shot at the title for now, but Russian boxing pundits say he has the goods to go to the next level.

The 31-year-old Russian has KO’d 14 opponents in 19 bouts, making him a top line opponent for the Nigerian Teke Oruh, who's been out of the ring for the last couple of years. That may not seem to make him the strongest match-up out there for Povetkin. But certainly he is hungry.

If the Russian knight drops the African Prince on Saturday, it won’t be considered a major victory. But a loss will create a Nigerian sensation, and probably send Povetkin into a pro-boxing abyss in the near future.

His mind is obviously 100 per cent on Saturday's fight but the missed chances to fight Vladimir Klitchko will haunt him until he steps in the ring with the Ukrainian champ.

Povetkin's management have already announced their wish list if their fighter triumphs this weekend.

The next bout is scheduled for October 30, with a possible contender in Chauncey Welliver from New Zealand. Whoever he is, the Russian Knight can use all the punching practice he can get, if he is to realize his dream.