Wilder fled back to Alabama in a flash when Povetkin had 0.000001% of Meldonium found in 2016, Povetkin would've most likely KTFO of Wilder back then. But even now Povetkin showing he's still good at 40 beating Hughie Fury with ease. Who would win if Wilder fought Povetkin now?
Back when they were set to fight, I favored Wilder but I thought it would probably be quite hard. Now? Wilder blows through 40 year old Pov.
Wilder has improved since 2016. Showing in the fights against Ortiz and Fury that he isnt a complete fraud Povetkin looks slower & not as impressive sinve the Hammer fight. Beating Hughie was a good win. But Hughie isnt even top 15 I think Wilder would get the KO in rounds 7-10
I used to think it was silly with the whole Meldonium thing, but, that was before I tried Meldonium for myself and it is indeed a cardio pill. Your cardio will increase on it, it is banned in sport for a reason. Wilder by KO either way though.
Povetkin is too old now. He was creaking along for the Fury fight despite the wide cards. I'd give him a decent chance but that chance grows slimmer every day.
I think it would be unnecessary damage to Povetkin's health at this point. He should retire or at least limit himself to the Hughies, and not the Wilders, of boxing.
It is what it is I would just like to see then Duke it out If wilder and povetkin wanted to scrap I'd be down to see it
It saddens me to say it, but to be honest I think Wilder would beat Povetkin if the fight happened now. Back when the original fight was supposed to happen I believe very confidently that Povetkin would beat Wilder, and still firmly stand by that today. I would not even say it is because Wilder has improved, because I think Povetkin from back then would still beat the Wilder of today convincingly. Povetkin has shown decline in his last few fights, he does not appear both as durable or as quick and accurate with his punches as he once did. This should come as no surprise to anyone as Povetkin at forty is a grandad in boxing career terms. Lewis and Mike Tyson were both retired at that age, and I think that fact makes what Povetkin is doing still fighting on as something to be admired. I believe he will get one last shot at a title before his career ends, and i’m sure it will be an exciting, and memorable fight win, or lose.
Povetkin's body is thickening as he enters his 40s, and he's appreciably slower and less of a cardio machine as a result. Also makes him a lot more hittable, and while Povetkin has decent punch resistance, it was his great cardio that often got him through sticky moments when he got rocked, because he wasn't immune to getting hurt. He's still a very good fighter, but he lacks that sharpness and crispness of old, and would likely get cracked with a big one at some point from Wilder, at which point I can't see him recovering.
Because of his relative lack of height and reach, Povetkin uses his leaping left hook to close the distance. That's an insanely high risk strategy against Wilder. I don't think this ends well for Sasha....
Still give him a very good chance. Wouldn't pick him outright with confidence like a few years ago but would still easily be one of Wilders harder fights. For lack of a more apt comparison I think this would go down similar to the Price/Povetkin fight with both guys throwing and landing big shots. One guy goes down for good inside the first 5.
SD Wilder really. prime Pov cant hurt him, prime WIlder cant chin him. Could easily go the other way prime 2 prime. Theres no point in comparing old Pov, hes going to be shot by next year.