He arguably deserved victories against both Byrd and Ruiz. In any case, I personally have a difficult time seeing the Povetkin who fought Huck having any success against the Golota who battered Bowe. :smoke
Golota is the better fighter but I suspect he crumbles like always after Povetkin refuses to roll over.
It's clear than Golota had the talent to box circles around Povetkin. Just see his fights against Grant and Bowe to see that. But we all know that Golota didn't have the desire to be a boxer or the heart. He wanted to be a truck driver when he came to the states the last thing he wanted was to turn pro and that shows when he's under pressure or hurt. Povetkin hits hard and is relentless. He was being out boxed by Takam but gradually turned the fight his way. He'd have a tougher time against Golota but he wouldn't have to turn the fight all his way, he just has to apply enough pressure on Golota to make him quit and I think he was capable of that.
The Povetkin that fought Huck ( and beat him ) vs the Golota who fought Brewster or Grant ( and lost )
The Povetkin who fought Huck would get battered by '96 Golota. I'd also take the Grant version of Golota over that version of Huck, too. But by the time Golota fought Byrd, Ruiz, and Brewster, he had been shot for years, and was effectively a one-armed fighter. :smoke
Fair enough, but I think Povetkin tends to get overrated around here, and the newer generation of ESB posters tend to underrate the skills and talent formerly possessed by Golota, notwithstanding his mental shortcomings. :smoke
Golota would find a way to lose, even then he would have his hands full with Povetkin. Good fight though, assuming Golota keeps it together.
Povetkin, in shape would have beaten Golota, but when Golota was at his very best, he could fight. He ended Bowe's career..........
Povetkin wins UD 12. Golota has his moments with his jab and the occasional right hand but he underwhelms like he always did.
