Honestly, what the hell are Povetkin's people doing putting him in with Byrd?

So how impressed will you be when Povetkin takes a comfortable UD?

He's young, technically sound, has a great workrate, stellar amateur. I don't see Byrd keeping this guy back.

 

i agree with both of you, if that is possible

byrd definately has the experience, toughness and skills to make anyone frustrated, aside from wladimir of course. but unless he is totally shot after his last loss, he should give povetkin some questions to answer.

povetkin handled larry donald pretty easy. but he didn't dominate or strike fear into donald.

povetkin seems to be a kind of russian version of brock. yes, povetkin is much better, but he doesn't seem to stand out in any one area. nothing makes me sit up and go "wow". of course he doesn't have to do any one thing spectacularly but still!

now for the other side of the coin.

povetkin is much younger, hungrier, stronger, more experienced overall (this is including his massive amature background where he fought i think 300 fights and beat everyone he lost to in rematches. very impressive), and has all the physical advantages. so i expect povetkin to get a solid convincing UD and probably in similar fashion to his win over larry donald. not because he isn't improving, but rather his opponent is a step up from donald.

where we will see povetkin shine more (hopefully) is against brock/chambers winner.

i personally feel byrd is really shot now, and will give the younger fighter some awkward style problems for a couple rounds before povetkin wears him down and either gets a easy UD or tko's bryd very late.

should be a *******!

also the question in this thread should be re-phrased. replace Byrd with Klitschko then it seems more real. despite the amature record, povetkin is being put in too early with wladimir. i dont think povetkin can beat wladimir now or a couple years down the track. but povetkin's chances will only increase the longer he waits. fighting wladimir in his 16th pro fight is just insane i think.

 

i agree with both too. Byrd gives most heavies fits, he can make almost anyone look bad. this will tell alot about Povetkin's place. i will be impressed if he wins. i won't write him off if he doesn't. BTW i think the 4-1 odds are crazy.

 

I agree that Byrd appears to be shot. Recalling what Corrie Sanders did to Wlad, and how Sanders' power didn't seem to have the same immediate effect on small Bobby Cyz, I can actually see this Povetkin fellow pulling a major upset. Odds are against it, of course, but then this is boxing we're talking about.

:bbb

 

No-one ever became a great heavyweight (or boxer) without taking risks.

 

its a hard fight to guess.. Byrd can beat Povetkin and in the same breath Povetkin is capable of beating Byrd....

my guess.. Sasha grabbing a points win..

never easy though..............

 

just good match making - you should be happy instead of worried...

 

Finally, a young fighter willing to take risks!

 

I've said it before but I guess I'll say it again. Byrd's best asset is his upper body movement. He uses angles and lateral movement to avoid shots. Typically this works wonderful against guys who throw looping punches like left hooks and uppercuts. But it falls short against guys who mix in alot of body work (where you are stationary) and guys who throw exclusively jabs and right hands (straight punches work better on a lateral target).

It isn't a fluke that these Eastern Euros give Byrd problems because along with size they bring a dedicated jab and right hand. They can hit him alot easier than a guy who depends on a left hook solely, like say David Tua. And as Sam Peter proved against JT, no amount of speed or lateral movement will help you avoid jabs and straight rights all night long.

 

Good comments.

 

Dude, the fight is in Germany, I wouldn't be worries if I were you.

 

Sooner or later, Povetkin is most likely going to face a southpaw with some skills. Why not let him get some experience by fighting a former title holder with a solid skillset (albeit his physical tools are degrading)?

 

It is going to be Povetkin, who is going to make Byrd look bad! He may only have 13 pro fights, but dont forget his amatuer credentials.


Style wise Byrd doesnt present a problem. Byrd stands right infront of oppoenets, treis to make them miss, and counter punch. Povetkin is a very accurate puncher, and has good handspeed. Povetkin is not going to miss a target standing infront of him, and will pummel Byrd to the ground.