Early '08, Valuev vs Liakhovich, Who wins?

Liahkovich is a better boxer, but with his already limited reach, I don't see what he could do against Valuev

 

Despite his benign intentions, Bergeron ruined Valuev. I wouldn't advise Nikolai to fight any other top contenders.

 

Lyakhovich by decision, but he is inconsistent, so who knows...

 

I actually like this match up. Liakhovich seemed to fade from mainstream boxing discussions just as quickly as he exploded onto it. Almost nobody gave him a chance to beat Brewster, but the Liakhovich who showed up that night threw some bombs and fought smart (taking that knee for example).

I think this is Liakhovich's fight to lose. The best Valuev will get his ass handed to him by the best Liakhovich. But the best Valuev will be able to UD the kind of lackluster Liakhovich that showed up against Briggs.

 

Lyakovich is too responsible offensively and too quick for the Giant. If Larry Donald at his ripened age can outbox the giant, I have no doubts that Lyakhovich would do the same.

Valuev was a good oddity for the time. But I think he's gonna run into problems with the guys who can outwork him and outmanuver him. He's just way too slow for polished boxers.

 

While I agree with alot of what you said I still feel Valuev will come away with the victory, I think the knockout Briggs scored against Lyakovich possibly scarred him for the rest of his career. While I dont think Valuev has the power of Briggs he does have the size and then some to scare him into submission, he also dont listen to his cornerman at all which caused him to get in trouble in the Brewster fight and knocked out in the Briggs fight. I think Valuev is just too big and strong for Lyakhovich, Valuev will out jab him and will eventually land some big punches that will knockout Lykhovich in the later rounds.