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So how would Klitschko measure up against the current Heavyweight champions? Right now, I have to say I would favor Klitschko over the others but it is not to automatically say that Klitschko would, in fact, prevail.
Boxing match ups is as much about style as anything else. For example, Chris Byrd has fought the two Klitschko brothers over 22 rounds and you would be hard press to find any rounds that he actually won. While he is 1-1 with his victory over the older brother Vitali, Byrd had difficulty in fighting the much bigger and stronger Klitschko brothers. Their height, boxing ability and strength advantage made it difficult for Byrd to gather momentum. What saved Byrd in lone Klitschko win was Vitali’s damaged shoulder.
Would a rematch be any different? Vitali would use his size to keep Byrd at bay and force Byrd to come to him where he has the advantage. In the second round of the McCline-Byrd, Jameel McCline pushed the issue and used his size to punish Byrd on the rope and nearly finished Byrd off. Byrd outlasted McCline as McCline ran out of gas and allowed Byrd to win the last several rounds.
Vitali would come in 20 pounds lighter and should be less likely to tire out than McCline. But would Klitschko run out of gas and become vulnerable to a Byrd comeback in the second half of their fight? Vitali Klitschko throws a lot of punches for a heavyweight. Against Williams, Klitschko averaged 70 punches for round and there were times that he appeared to be gassed. [details]
Boxing match ups is as much about style as anything else. For example, Chris Byrd has fought the two Klitschko brothers over 22 rounds and you would be hard press to find any rounds that he actually won. While he is 1-1 with his victory over the older brother Vitali, Byrd had difficulty in fighting the much bigger and stronger Klitschko brothers. Their height, boxing ability and strength advantage made it difficult for Byrd to gather momentum. What saved Byrd in lone Klitschko win was Vitali’s damaged shoulder.
Would a rematch be any different? Vitali would use his size to keep Byrd at bay and force Byrd to come to him where he has the advantage. In the second round of the McCline-Byrd, Jameel McCline pushed the issue and used his size to punish Byrd on the rope and nearly finished Byrd off. Byrd outlasted McCline as McCline ran out of gas and allowed Byrd to win the last several rounds.
Vitali would come in 20 pounds lighter and should be less likely to tire out than McCline. But would Klitschko run out of gas and become vulnerable to a Byrd comeback in the second half of their fight? Vitali Klitschko throws a lot of punches for a heavyweight. Against Williams, Klitschko averaged 70 punches for round and there were times that he appeared to be gassed. [details]
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