Fantasy Fight: Ruslan Chageav Vs. Siarhei Liakhovich

Prime i'd take Chagaev. Liakhovich's power won't bother iron chinned Ruslan and the right hands to the body he loves so much will be nullified (unless he wants to get countered with left crosses to the chin) Ruslan is still a good counter puncher today but in his prime his handspeed was better and he threw in combination alot more. Liakhovich would stand in the pocket and Chagaev would land cleanly more often than Siarhei would in their exchanges. I don't see either guy getting a stoppage.

 

Now it's hard to say as they've both been fighting so infrequently it's hard to say who's the more shot. Going back to say 2006/07 when both won their titles I'd pick Chagaev, he's a bit smaller but was much more skilled and unlike against Klitschko the size difference wouldn't be completely insurmountable for Chagaev. I wouldn't even say Liakhovich had the undisputed edge in power, he never knocked out anyone of note that I can recall people may just assume he does because he's bigger.

 

Liahkovich had a prime of 1 fight, the one he beat Brewster in. The next fight, the last second KO by Briggs was the end for him as a top fighter.....he's been shot since. Chagaev has been ill/injured and inactive against top level comp.....but he's not exactly shot. He nearly got rid of Povetkin and if he had more in the tank and was able to step on the gas, we would have won against Povetkin.

Chagaev is more fundamentally/technically sound and gifted as a boxer. Prime for prime or even today, Chagaev beats Liahkovich by wide margin.