Early 2000s Wladimir Klitschko vs prime Alexander Povetkin

When did Wlad adopt the jab, grab and push tactics?

Probably would get chinned over the big stiff idiot

Bet he had a padded canvas for Povetkin. Wlad is a fraud.

 

Overly eager and aggressive Klitschko probably gets stopped by Povetkin, Wlads willingness to engage would have left too many opportunities for Povetkin to capitalise on imo

 

Povetkin could be hurt. Young Vlad takes his head off. He found no issue finding him in their ugly fight. Knocked him all over the ring.

 

Yes young Vlad was more vulnerable, but he also so much more destructive. Eight times out of ten he chins Povetkin IMO.

 

I would say Povetkin's chances go up a lot if he isn't being used like a walking frame every ten seconds.

That said, I think I still favour Wlad.

In their fight Wlad managed to piece him up with his jab and right hand anyway, and Povetkin found defending against Wlad's accuracy a problem. He clearly felt Klitschko's power, and in the later rounds Povetkin was holding as much as Wlad.

I'd say it goes from a hopeless task for Povetkin to a merely very difficult one.

 

Well you asked a question and people are stating there opinion. It's not like it can be proven since it never happened anyway.

 

He blew his wad twice and then got stopped. Povetkin is tough but he is not Brewster or Puritty tough. Sanders blew Wlad away, fair enough, but Sanders was kind of a special fighter in his way. I can't think of anybody else with his package of attributes, and not Povetkin.

 

I still back Wlad here since he dropped and hurt Povetkin.
Povetkin has a decent chance to get him though, which is why Wlad cheated all night. So we can't write Povetkin off.
Big task though as Wlad has more power and range.
Wlad also more dangerous in the sauna. Povetkin would be no trouble to sit with, but Wlad, don't stay in there if you're the smaller man.

 

While Wlad fought dirty that night Povetkin wasn't completely innocent himself and he was definitely trying to survive and holding on to Wlad aswell after feeling Wlad's power.

 

Well I would have liked to watch THAT fight instead of the one they actually had... Early wladimir was very exciting

 

Wlad was dropped thirteen times by six fighters in his 20's/first 48 pro fights (Pannell, Puritty x2, Sanders x4, Brewster x2, Williamson, Peter x3), suffering three TKO defeats and the 5 round split technical decision win over Williamson was controversial.

The best opponents he beat over this period were Byrd (119-107) and Peter (114-111 UD). The best opponent he stopped was McCline, who quit after 10 rounds.

Wlad's life and death fight with Peter was his 4th fight with Steward in his corner. The best version of Wlad in the early 2000's was the 26 year old Wlad who fought Mercer, McCline and (ironically) Sanders.

The best version of Povetkin in this matchup is likely the post-Wlad version as he had 12 rounds experience against a much more defensive version of Wlad and his KO power seemed to noticeably increase (72% KO ratio at 37/after 32 fights). Povetkin was only dropped by Wlad prior to 38 and only stopped once he hit 39, by Joshua in 7 rounds.

Povetkin may or may not be as durable as Puritty, Brewster and Peter but he was certainly more skilled and athletic and I think he caried more KO power. Wlad's tactics in the Povetkin fight suggest he felt Povetkin was a threat in the absence of grappling and he had no interest in a Povetkin rematch with strict officiating, despite Wlad's willingness to have rematches (Monroe, Martin, Thompson etc.) and it being more lucrative and prestigious than many.

I'm not confident in the outcome but I lean towards Povetkin.

 

A real pity Wlad's chin wasn't the best. But a few of those knockdowns were more like slips (Pannell Williamson) and multiple behind the head shots (Peter)