Tweet
A Tale of Two Fighters
By Julian Kasdin (Aug 22, 2006)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason ‘Big Six’ Estrada, 6-0 (1) with one no contest, and Alexander Povetkin, 8-0 (6), are two of the most promising young heavyweights today. Both fighters have unique styles and technical proficiency far beyond fighters with a comparable number of fights. They also have shown amazing willingness to fight tough competition early in their respective careers, but what should we know about these fighters and their path into the pro-ranks?
Estrada and Povetkin are more than two physically talented fighters. They are more than knockout artists or ring giants. As Estrada’s record shows he only has one knockout, and both fighters stand at 6’1” and 6’2” respectively. What really
sets them apart from many young fighters is that they are phenomenally skilled. The skill possessed by these two warriors was honed by years in the amateur ranks. Estrada compiled an excellent amateur record with over two-hundred wins that included multiple national titles, a gold medal in the Pan-American games and a place on the United States’ 2004 Olympic team. Alexander Povetkin might be one of the most accomplished amateurs ever with a record of 125-3, all three losses avenged, and a total of eighteen national and international level tournament wins. All of this earned Povetkin a spot on Russia’s 2004 Olympic team.
It was during the 2004 Olympics when both fighters’ careers diverged. Estrada was expected to do great things during the 2004 Olympics. He was one of the most skilled and accomplished fighters the United States had fielded in years. Having defeated a top Cuban super heavyweight in Michael Lopez Nunez the general consensus that Estrada would at least medal in the 2004 Olympiad, but in the second round of the Olympics he would basically give up and drop a lopsided decision to the same Michael Lopez Nunez. After this fight Estrada’s heart and desire were called into question because, despite his skill, it seemed as if he did not have the desire to face and overcome adversity.
During the same Olympiad the consensus number one super heavyweight in the world, Alexander Povetkin, would confirm what many had predicted he would do. After easily beating fighters over the first three rounds of competition he would win the gold medal via walkover as his opponent, Mohamed Ali, withdrew from the final match. Ali, who injured himself during the Olympics, had been stopped by Povetkin in a previous tournament.
Following the Olympics both fighters entered the pro ranks. Estrada entered the pro ranks with many doubting his desire and commitment to the sport. Outside of New England there was very little attention paid to Estrada turning professional. This all stood in stark contrast to Alexander Povetkin. When Povetkin turned professional he was courted by several large promotional firms, and finally signed with Sauerland, one of Germany’s two largest promoters. No one doubted Povetkin’s determination and competitive spirit, and this only served to make him a focus of more than just regional attention the night of his first fight.
Fast forward a year later and we now have two undefeated young heavyweights who have fought better opposition than many prospects with two to three times as many fights as them. As we head towards 2007 many people who doubted Estrada’s willingness to fight are becoming believers in his will to win as he has racked up victories against Najee Shaheed, 21-12-2 (11), and Robert Wiggins, 20-7-1 (12). Across the Atlantic the man some predict to have greatness hardwired into his psyche is beginning to not only build a fan base in Europe, but gain a following in the USA. With wins over Richard ****o, 17-2 (13), Friday Ahunanya, 20-5-2 (11), and Livin Castillo, 13-4 (8), Povetkin, like Estrada, has shown a willingness to fight tough fights now.
Over the last few months rumors have been circulating on the web that Estrada will challenge Fres Oquendo, 26-3 (16), and that Povetkin could be fighting anyone from Oliver McCall, 47-8 (34), to John Ruiz, 41-6-1 (28). While the truth is that both fighters will probably not take such drastic leaps in competition it is a testament to their growing reputations that fans around the world believe that Estrada and Povetkin can fight and beat fighters such as Oquendo, McCall and Ruiz. No one knows what will happen in the future, and we cannot say with certainty that either Estrada or Povetkin will become champions. We do not know if either Estrada or Povetkin will become future greats, but if their first year as pros is any indication of what is to come then they could have great futures.
By Julian Kasdin (Aug 22, 2006)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason ‘Big Six’ Estrada, 6-0 (1) with one no contest, and Alexander Povetkin, 8-0 (6), are two of the most promising young heavyweights today. Both fighters have unique styles and technical proficiency far beyond fighters with a comparable number of fights. They also have shown amazing willingness to fight tough competition early in their respective careers, but what should we know about these fighters and their path into the pro-ranks?
Estrada and Povetkin are more than two physically talented fighters. They are more than knockout artists or ring giants. As Estrada’s record shows he only has one knockout, and both fighters stand at 6’1” and 6’2” respectively. What really
sets them apart from many young fighters is that they are phenomenally skilled. The skill possessed by these two warriors was honed by years in the amateur ranks. Estrada compiled an excellent amateur record with over two-hundred wins that included multiple national titles, a gold medal in the Pan-American games and a place on the United States’ 2004 Olympic team. Alexander Povetkin might be one of the most accomplished amateurs ever with a record of 125-3, all three losses avenged, and a total of eighteen national and international level tournament wins. All of this earned Povetkin a spot on Russia’s 2004 Olympic team.
It was during the 2004 Olympics when both fighters’ careers diverged. Estrada was expected to do great things during the 2004 Olympics. He was one of the most skilled and accomplished fighters the United States had fielded in years. Having defeated a top Cuban super heavyweight in Michael Lopez Nunez the general consensus that Estrada would at least medal in the 2004 Olympiad, but in the second round of the Olympics he would basically give up and drop a lopsided decision to the same Michael Lopez Nunez. After this fight Estrada’s heart and desire were called into question because, despite his skill, it seemed as if he did not have the desire to face and overcome adversity.
During the same Olympiad the consensus number one super heavyweight in the world, Alexander Povetkin, would confirm what many had predicted he would do. After easily beating fighters over the first three rounds of competition he would win the gold medal via walkover as his opponent, Mohamed Ali, withdrew from the final match. Ali, who injured himself during the Olympics, had been stopped by Povetkin in a previous tournament.
Following the Olympics both fighters entered the pro ranks. Estrada entered the pro ranks with many doubting his desire and commitment to the sport. Outside of New England there was very little attention paid to Estrada turning professional. This all stood in stark contrast to Alexander Povetkin. When Povetkin turned professional he was courted by several large promotional firms, and finally signed with Sauerland, one of Germany’s two largest promoters. No one doubted Povetkin’s determination and competitive spirit, and this only served to make him a focus of more than just regional attention the night of his first fight.
Fast forward a year later and we now have two undefeated young heavyweights who have fought better opposition than many prospects with two to three times as many fights as them. As we head towards 2007 many people who doubted Estrada’s willingness to fight are becoming believers in his will to win as he has racked up victories against Najee Shaheed, 21-12-2 (11), and Robert Wiggins, 20-7-1 (12). Across the Atlantic the man some predict to have greatness hardwired into his psyche is beginning to not only build a fan base in Europe, but gain a following in the USA. With wins over Richard ****o, 17-2 (13), Friday Ahunanya, 20-5-2 (11), and Livin Castillo, 13-4 (8), Povetkin, like Estrada, has shown a willingness to fight tough fights now.
Over the last few months rumors have been circulating on the web that Estrada will challenge Fres Oquendo, 26-3 (16), and that Povetkin could be fighting anyone from Oliver McCall, 47-8 (34), to John Ruiz, 41-6-1 (28). While the truth is that both fighters will probably not take such drastic leaps in competition it is a testament to their growing reputations that fans around the world believe that Estrada and Povetkin can fight and beat fighters such as Oquendo, McCall and Ruiz. No one knows what will happen in the future, and we cannot say with certainty that either Estrada or Povetkin will become champions. We do not know if either Estrada or Povetkin will become future greats, but if their first year as pros is any indication of what is to come then they could have great futures.
Comment