Seems this fight is gonna happen. Who do you think will win? I like Lyakhovich in this one. This guy got good skills. He clearly outboxed Briggs for 11 rounds before he foolishly chose to trade with him in the 12th and got knocked out. I think he learned from his mistakes, he will have a clever game-plan, stays focused and will use his superior speed to outbox Valuev. Valuev has always been overrated, and he lost more fights than his record indicates. I think he's over the hill, everybody talked about the new, better Valuev we would see against C-level Bergeron, but he looked bad in that fight, still no defense and still slow as a snail. Yes, Bergeron is a southpaw, and Valuev don't know how to fight southpaws. Still I don't think Valuev can improve much at this stage, and he's got nothing besides a decent jab. He can't even use his height advantage for what it's worth - look at his fights with smaller fighters like Chagaev or Ruiz. Lyakhovich is on another level than Beck or Etienne, he'll know how to deal with Valuevs height. Ok, Lyakhovich hasn't fought in over a year, but I don't think that will matter much - he didn't fight for 15 months before his fight with Brewster and he did good. I don't think he can knock out Valuev though, and getting a decision against Valuev in Germany is always difficult - ask Larry Donald about it. Still, Lyakhovich wins by UD.
Valuev will win this one, Liakhovich will be out for over a year when this fight takes place. The fact hes been out this long just shows how gun shy he still is, Valuev is not the fighter to take in your first fight back either IMO. Valuev is not the biggest puncher, but still is physically imposing figure for him to fight. Valuev will probably hit him with something decent early on, which will force him to fight a tenative fight like he did against Briggs. I see Valuev catching him with something big around the 7th round, which leads to a KO later in the round. Valuev by ko 7th round.
Valuev would KO Sergi in 4 or 5 rounds to much size and strength for the Wolf to overcome, Sergi wouldn't be able to hurt the Giant anyways, Valuev has a chin of stone and at 325-335 to much mass..:hat
I think Liakhovich will run scared like he did against Briggs. What a disapointment he has been since the briggs fight.
I agree with your post. Lyakhovich has good skills in boxing. And I think, he will win via a UD. For a guy like Valuev, he posses little power, and not so great boxing skills. Sergei the White Wolf will win via UD. And then we will see a great fight: Chagaev v Liakovich. MAN! What a fight that would be! :good
I could be wrong but I think Valuev by KO. Sergei's been out of action for too long following a devastating knockout. Plus, I don't think he can hurt Valuev.
I,too,bet my money on Lyakhovich! Valuev didnt look very convincing against Bergeron,and Lyakhovich is head and shoulders over the very limited French-Canadien. Besides Lyakhovich has the right style to beat Valuev IMO. Valuev is no puncher,and IMO Lyakhovich willl be able to neutralize Valuev's two best weapons:his excellent jab,and his outstanding stamina.
Tough fight to call.. the best version of Liakhovic should definitly beat Valuev.... but he's a bit unreliable if you ask me. Valuev is beatable but he does always bring his best fight.
