By Tom Donelson

This Saturday, Wladimir Klitschko will be given a second chance to become the true heavyweight champion.  In fighting Chris Byrd, he is facing one of the more craftier fighters of this era and a man who is truly the best of the division at the moment.

Say what you want, Byrd has been one of the top heavyweights for the past several years while beating some of the better heavyweights in the division.  Since being shellacked by South African Corrie Sanders, Klitschko has appeared very cautious at times in the ring. There are moments where Klitschko fights not to lose as opposed to fighting to win.

Klitschko may have the most raw talent in the division. He can punch and he can box. The Ukrainian fighter has good mobility for a fighter his size and this served him well in his first fight with Byrd, where he wore Byrd down by the strength of his punches and tactical skills.  He still has those advantages and he will be facing a Byrd that is a little slower than when they first met and still minus the big punch that could send Klitschko packing.

Before Sanders, Klitschko was the heir apparent to Lennox Lewis' throne, but that train was derailed when Klitschko hit the canvas from Sanders' punches. It was left to his older brother to pursue Lewis. Injuries ended Vitali's career and sent the older brother to a premature retirement, so the Klitschko brothers' legacy is back in the hands of the younger brother Wladimir.  

So once again, it is Wladimir's opportunity to seize the moment and become the man in the division. A victory will propel Wladimir to the top of the heap. The Toney-Rahman draw debacle eliminated both men having the bragging rights of being number one and they still have unfinished business with each other down the road. 

Brewster's claim as the top dog of the division was temporary put on hold after losing to Sergei Liakhovich.  So by the process of elimination, it is the winner of Byrd-Klitschko who becomes the man of the heavyweights (Unless there is a draw, but don't count on it.) Klitschko should win this fight.  He showed in the Peter fight that he does have the heart to be a champion, even if the chin is still suspect.  And Byrd does not have Peter's punch or the ability to take a beating like Brewster.  This is Klitschko's moment.

Now for some more heavyweight thought. Why is it that in today's boxing world if a fighter loses a fight or two, he is suddenly at the crossroads of this career?  Last week's Dominick Guinn-Audley Harrison fight was declared a "crossroad" fight with the loser condemned to some sort of boxing hell and the winner given a yet another pass in the division.

Both fighters have talent undermined by chronic underachievement.  Both fighters suffer from the same affliction - they both fight not to lose. Hesitant to throw punches or take chances, they allow their opponents to take control. 

As for Guinn, he lost to some good fighters like Monte Barrett, Sergei Liakhovich and James Toney. Liakhovich lifted Brewster's WBO title and Toney is a hall of fame boxer. Even Barrett was given a shot at a heavyweight title.  And while Guinn lost those fights, he was at least competitive and in no danger of hitting the canvas.

Harrison is one of those perplexing fighters. He is tall and rangy with good boxing skills, but appear reluctant to use all his tools.  And against Guinn, his reluctant style cost him as Guinn proved aggressive enough to persuade the judges to hand him the majority of the rounds on theri scorecards. 

Guinn appeared to be fighting with a purpose and at times showed some determination. Guinn still has three losses and Harrison, only has two. So should we declare Harrison's career over?  Hardly, for Harrison still has the skills and if he ever put them together, he would be a legitimate contender.

As for Guinn, he lives to fight another day and avoid boxing hell for the next moment.  He showed that he has the talent and at times, appeared ready to mix it up. Will Guinn's next fight still be a "crossroads fight" despite the fact that his losses were close and to good fighters?  I always wonder why boxing pundits like to bury a fighter so quickly?