Comments Thread For: Wladimir Klitschko-Alexander Povetkin: Pre-Report Card

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

by Cliff Rold - It’s a fight with so many of the elements that have made boxing fun over the years.

Let’s start with the ethnic angle. Boxing, political correctness be damned, has never abandoned its willingness to embrace ethnic difference. Mexico vs. Puerto Rico and the Philippines has been all the rage in recent years. In bygone eras, New York was alive with ethnic clashes between Italian, Jewish, and Irish fighters. This weekend we have a Ukrainian champion, Wladimir Klitschko, facing a Russian challenger, Alexander Povetkin, in Moscow.

The history between Ukraine and Russia has its share of acrimony and the fans will feel that as the rounds progress. It’s a 21st century neighborhood brawl, globalization style.

Then there is the Olympic uniqueness. Since the institution of the Super Heavyweight class at the 1984 Olympics, eight men have won Gold Medals in the clash. This is the first time two of them will square off for the professional Heavyweight crown. Klitschko won his medal in 1996; Povetkin in 2004. [Click Here To Read More]

[viewsat]

Wlad is way too big for Povetkin.

[iNorton]

Wlad is superior than Povetkin in speed, power, technique, defence, experience and intelligence. So it will be another mismatch like Klitschko's fight with any boxer from any era. But to see "russkiy" pig humiliated infront of Putler - that's worth it!

[Slowhand]

Good article, Povetkin is way underrated by most. Klitschko the big favourite of course, but Povetkin would probably beat any HW not named Klitschko. This could be a tough fight for Wlad.

[Mikhnienko]

Very good analysis Cliff. I read the RING predictions and of the 18 supposed experts only you and one other put any real thought into it. Everyone else was "he looked bad against Huck and is 4 inches shorter" with comments that weren't worth the 30 seconds it took them to type it.

[Danieltapia]

Wlad is way too big for Povetkin.

Size does not matter as much as users here think. If Povetkin could land some punches he could get Klitschko out of there. But he won't land the big punches because he is just not that good. And that is what matters in this fight.

[Slowhand]

Wlad is superior than Povetkin in speed, power, technique, defence, experience and intelligence. So it would be another mismatch like Klitschko's fight with any boxer from any era. But to see "russkiy" pig humiliated infront of Putler - that's worth it!

No pigs in the ring you idiot. Show some respect or f**k off.

[Black Barty]

Good article, Povetkin is way underrated by most. Klitschko the big favourite of course, but Povetkin would probably beat any HW not named Klitschko. This could be a tough fight for Wlad.

I'm pretty sure Haye would ice Povetkin, and I wouldn't fancy his chances against Pulev, either.

And I don't think Pov is underrated. If anything, he is slighly overrated. A lot of people are way overselling his chances in this fight imo. He is a solid fighter, but his resume is not that great to put it mildly, especially for someone who has been around for as long as he has, and I honestly don't think he is any better than say, the version of Chagaev Wlad fought. How many people gave Chagaev any chance against Wlad?

[Heru]

Forget about the speed, power, strength, technique, defense, experience, intelligence, and timing advantages that Wlad has over Povetkin...

If people are expecting Povetkin to try to press Wlad... He will try... and fail miserably.

Wlad's ring generalship is second to none (in the Heavyweight division at least). Unless his opponent is physically stronger than him and mentally strong enough to establish his will, Wlad immediately takes center ring, presses his opponents, and refuses to give ground for more than the longevity of his opponents' short offensive bursts, then uses his footwork to get back to center ring and continue to press the fight. Povetkin might prefer to be the fighter pressing the fight, but there are several fights where he gives ground to his opponents and boxes outside of his preference because it's his opponent's will.

How is Povetkin going to react when the person he prepared to press refuses to allow it and presses him in turn?

Is he going to continue spending enormous amounts of his energy trying to press the fight and finding that his offensive attacks are unsuccessful or is he going to allow himself to be pressed and find that his offensive attacks are unsuccessful?

If he tries to press the fight, he's going to find it nearly impossible to get inside because of Wlad's jab (that will turn into stiff arm if need be), timing and footwork (he times his opponents advances extremely well and uses his excellent foot speed and footwork out of harm's way and back to where he wants to be); on rare occasion, he'll also launch a counter cross. If he chooses to let Wlad press the fight (the option so many opponents are forced to choose), he'll be dominated at the end of the jab, right cross, and left hook until he's had enough.

Either choice Povetkin chooses spells disaster for him because he lacks the tools to deal with Wlad.

Luis "Nobody throw, nobody throw" Pabon is not going to be a factor except for breaking clinches, where Wlad will outmuscle and lean on Alexander tiring him further (Povetkin might be able to do some ineffective body work in the clinch, but he's going to lose more than he gains there).

And as aggressive as Wlad has been since the Wach fight, I wouldn't be surprised if he stops him before the 4th.

[iNorton]

No pigs in the ring you idiot. Show some respect or f**k off.

Ouch, sorry... am I hurting your feelings? You can cry on my shoulder if you want to