Let the Games begin! Alexander Povetkin and Chris Byrd will kick off the IBF elimination tournament on October 27 when they come face-to-face in Erfurt, Germany. The winner will move on to fight either Calvin Brock or Eddie Chambers for the right to challenge IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. The IBF has launched a four-way battle to determine the Ukrainian's next mandatory challenger, and Povetkin is convinced it will be him who will succeed. "I am just two wins shy of my dream to fight for the world title," the 2004 Olympic gold medal winner said. "I have been working hard in practice and will defeat Byrd no matter what. I will not allow him or anyone else to stand in my way."

Povetkin is no stranger to success. After dominating the amateur level almost at will, the world and European champion comprehensively won all of his first 13 fights as a professional (10 KOs). In his last appearance back in June, he destroyed American veteran Larry Donald by clinching all rounds on the scorecards. "Dominating an established fighter such as Donald was the ultimate proof that Alexander is ready for a title shot," co-manager Kalle Sauerland said. "The hunt for Klitschko has officially started. Alexander will be the next champion."

Also in action will be European middleweight champion Sebastian Sylvester (26-2, 13 KOs). The Hurricane avenged the darkest hour of his career in June when he stopped Amin Asikainen in the 11th round of their meeting in Zwickau. The previously unbeaten Finn had torn the belt apart from Sylvester in June 2006 but was caught off-guard in a spectacular rematch. Next up for the 27-year-old German is his first defence against Simone Rotolo (27-2, 13 KOs). "I have lost my title once but it will never ever happen again," said Sylvester. "I have learned my lesson and seek higher goals now. I want to become world champion."

René Dettweiler, Yoan Pablo Hernandez and Mads Larsen will also prove their worth in Erfurt. It will be a special fight for the Golden Boy (48-2, 37 KOs), who will return to the place where he was narrowly beaten by then-WBA/IBF champion Sven Ottke in September 2003. "I´m sure the fans will remember the fight and support me," the former European champion stated. "This time I will be leaving the ring as the winner."

After a break of three-and-a-half years, the popular Dane celebrated his highly anticipated comeback in May. Since then he has won all three of his bouts, including comprehensive defeats of Hector Javier Velazco and Nader Hamdan. "Mads is getting better and better and will be fighting for a title again soon," Sauerland Event managing director Chris Meyer said. "He has already given a first taste of his true potential but there is still a lot more to come from him."