Thursday, August 8, 2013

Boxing Wladimir Klitschko v Alexander Povetkin

Wladimir Klitschko will put his WBO, IBF, IBO, and WBA “super” heavyweight titles on the line against Alexander Povetkin. Klitschko will come into the fight 60-3 and on an 18-fight winning streak. He has not lost since 2004. Povetkin has never lost. The 26-0 Povetkin holds the WBA “regular” heavyweight title. Klitschko will have four inches on the smaller Povetkin and he generally outweighs him by somewhere in the neighbourhood of 15 pounds.

The two had been scheduled to fight twice in the past. In 2008, an injured foot caused Povetkin to back out of the fight. Then in 2010, a fight had been set, but Povetkin backed out because he felt he was not ready. It is easy to feel inadequate when going up against Klitschko. He and his brother Vitali have dominated the heavyweight division for much of the past 10 years. The younger Wladimir is now 37 years old. Still, age has not begun to show on Klitschko. He stopped Francesco Pianeta in the sixth round this past May to retain his titles. Klitschko uses his jab effectively not just to set up his power punches, but to keep his opponents at a safe distance. Some of his more effective power punches are the left hook and straight right hand. They have helped Klitschko score a knockout in 51 of his 60 wins. Klitschko is also a well-rounded fighter. The late Emanuel Steward helped him improve his defence.

Even in all of his greatness, if hit right, Klitschko has shown that he might not hold up. All three of his losses have occurred via TKO. So does Povetkin has a chance to dethrone Klitschko? Can his aptitude to get inside and work the body work against Klitschko? Povetkin is an aggressive fighter and might not be able to get through the Klitschko jab. Povetkin’s power is a matter of debate, but he has stopped 18 of the 26 fighters he has faced – included in that are three out of the last four. In his last outing he only needed three rounds to dispatch previously undefeated, but rarely tested Andrzej Wawrzyk. Fighting Klitschko will be a big step up in competition.

So far in his career, Povetkin signature wins are over an aging Chris Byrd, Eddie Chambers, Ruslan Chagaev, and a bulked-up cruiserweight in Marco Huck. It is safe to say that a fight with Klitschko is a different experience than any of the aforementioned bouts. Still, there is one bit of competition that both Povetkin and Klitschko have in common. Both fighters won Olympic gold medals. Klitschko won a super heavyweight gold for the Ukraine in the 1996 Olympics. Povetkin won a super heavyweight gold for Russia in the 2004 Olympics.

Is Povetkin the one to finally beat Klitschko? Or is Klitschko the guy to hand Povetkin his first loss. The fight will take place in Povetkin’s native Russia in October. Povetkin will be 34 years old when he get in the ring. The outcome of the fight will continue Klitschko’s reign or mark a shift in the heavyweight division

Wladimir Klitschko v Alexander Povetkin Odds - Wladimir Klitschko v Alexander Povetkin Betting

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