MICHAEL HUNTER dressed as Predator on the way to the ring but failed to kill off Alexander Povetkin.

The American wore a mask in tribute to the legendary films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and then stalked his Russian opponent for much of the fight.

Povetkin deserves huge credit for surviving a heavy onslaught in the very first round.

Hunter was landing at will, but incredibly the Russian managed to stay on his feet.

In the end it went to the judges scorecards, who gave it 115-113 to Povetkin, 115-113 Hunter, and 114-114 split draw.

Hunter was heartbroken to be handed the controversial draw.

HUNTER HEARTBROKEN

The American boxed beautifully for long spells and almost won the fight in the very first round. But the wily old Russian veteran used all his skills to sway one judge his way.

After 12-rounds of impressive action before the Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz main event, the judges scored it level.

Hunter said: “I don’t make the scores so there is nothing I can say, I thought I won it but the judges did not think so, so I have to go back to the drawing board.

The Las Vegas former cruiserweight almost won the fight in the first few seconds when a right hand walloped the Russian senseless.

The two-time drug cheat showed excellent recovery skills, to match the 40-year-old’s newly firmed-up torso, to survive the following barrage.

Povetkin almost floored Hunter in the fourth, but his bum hit the second-from-bottom rope and he bounced back into the action to avoid conceding a knockdown.

Hunter hammered the rock-hard veteran in the eleventh but he somehow remained vertical and used old tricks like holding and a headbutt to buy recovery time and both men made the final bell.

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