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by David P. Greisman - The only good thing about Alexander Povetkin’s non-fight against Hasim Rahman is that it didn’t last long.
No one with a sound mind and without an allegiance to any particular participant wanted to see this one-sided mis-mandatory indefensible defense — featuring a limited but younger and much more capable Povetkin facing the aged, damaged shopworn shell of Rahman.
No one but the most sadistic wanted to see a one-sided fight last longer than necessary.
For years this heavyweight division has been defined by the two brothers atop it, whose continued domination make them the men to meet in order to make money, and the men to defeat in order to make a name for yourself. The first is feasible, the second improbable. Any winnings taken in by the losing challenger are the price he is paid to pay the price.
The Klitschkos have faced nearly all challengers and beaten them. That has left a rotating pool of mostly middling heavyweights vying for title shots, all while various prospects work their way through the ranks until they get their own chance. This is why we’ve seen a cast of not quite ready for prime time pugilists interspersed with those far past their primes.
Though Wladimir and Vitali hold the four major world titles between them, one belt does remain — the World Boxing Association’s “regular” trinket. Its owner, Alexander Povetkin, years ago had his own mandatory shot at Wladimir Klitschko, but never took it. First, he suffered an injury that canceled a 2008 fight with Klitschko. Then he declined a bout with Klitschko and instead later entered a back door into a world title. He has done little to distinguish himself despite owning it. [Click Here To Read More]
No one with a sound mind and without an allegiance to any particular participant wanted to see this one-sided mis-mandatory indefensible defense — featuring a limited but younger and much more capable Povetkin facing the aged, damaged shopworn shell of Rahman.
No one but the most sadistic wanted to see a one-sided fight last longer than necessary.
For years this heavyweight division has been defined by the two brothers atop it, whose continued domination make them the men to meet in order to make money, and the men to defeat in order to make a name for yourself. The first is feasible, the second improbable. Any winnings taken in by the losing challenger are the price he is paid to pay the price.
The Klitschkos have faced nearly all challengers and beaten them. That has left a rotating pool of mostly middling heavyweights vying for title shots, all while various prospects work their way through the ranks until they get their own chance. This is why we’ve seen a cast of not quite ready for prime time pugilists interspersed with those far past their primes.
Though Wladimir and Vitali hold the four major world titles between them, one belt does remain — the World Boxing Association’s “regular” trinket. Its owner, Alexander Povetkin, years ago had his own mandatory shot at Wladimir Klitschko, but never took it. First, he suffered an injury that canceled a 2008 fight with Klitschko. Then he declined a bout with Klitschko and instead later entered a back door into a world title. He has done little to distinguish himself despite owning it. [Click Here To Read More]
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