Even if people don't favor Povetkin over Klitschko (a very understandable opinion), they have to see that Povetkin will be the first real challenge for Wlad since Peter and perhaps the best opponent he's ever faced.
The first was close but Thompson edged it in my eyes. After that, he did nothing. Clearly lost every single round thereafter against a guy who looked far from his best and then he gave up. At no point did Wlad look remotely troubled, and however you slice it, he was looking for any chance to quit. It was embarassingly obvious.
I was totally caught off guard by Thompson's chin. Not that I've watched many of his fights before but I was suprised by how well he took a lot of those shots. Overall though, nothing shocking in the outcome, or the way Wlad handled the fight. I'm not one to bash Wlad for not KO'ing a guy in 2 rounds. Thats not the kind of fighter he is. He's always going to be safety first. I think a lot of people had unrealistic expectations of Wlad in this fight.
A half arsed jab that glances the opponent counts as much as a solid right. Those numbers don't tell half the story. If you honestly think he was competitive then you either know nothing, are a massive fan of Thompson or a combination of the two. I think you'll find near enough everybody else agrees with me; he was outclassed from early on and quit when he realised he had no chance.
Is it a lot to expect the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world to dominate a journeyman? I don't think so.
Wow... Do you really think so??? It's funny that Manny Steward in Wlad's corner after round one clearly gave that 1st round to Thompson himself... And when PBF completely out-points guys to death, he wins the round in most people's minds, but when Thompson does it; what it doesn't count???
Didn't say that. But just being the HW champion doesn't make you Tyson. Especially in todays scene. Fact is that Wlad is cautious and will be until he retires. It would be nice if the HW champion did that, yes. But look past the titles and you can see a fighter that has flaws and does his best to keep his opponents from exploiting them. Unfortunately for many, that leads to more boxing clinics and less slugfests.
Yes he propably will be the best boxer hes faced. But Povetkins real asset in this matchup is that he is very, very good at wearing people down. Wlad cant really deal with pressure+speed+stamina. And that is what I think Povetkin will bring into this fight together with a tight defence. Wlad has the power int the right hand - and he could ktfo any heavyweight. But if he cant KO Sultan and has trouble with Thompson - I doubt he could do the number on Povetkin. My prediction is based upon that Wlad will tire in the later rounds. Povetkin wont.