Okolie (vs CBS) or Wlad (vs Povetkin), who was the more prolific grappler?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Redbeard7, Jun 1, 2023.


  1. Redbeard7

    Redbeard7 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I counted the number of holds and regular pushes in both fights to find the total, there's a degree of subjectivity but I think my figures would be broadly replicated. Without measuring it objectivity I think Okolie held on longer than Wlad, thus wasting more time (which prevented Okolie from racking up more grappling exchanges) and Okolie was warned considerably more than Wlad, running the clock down further and preventing him from grappling as much as he otherwise would have. The fact that Okolie had to chase the fight in the last three rounds also reduced the amount of grappling he did.

    I think both fights were wrestling matches more than boxing matches in terms of time spent in the clinch vs time spent at standard punching range. However, the Povetkin fight is universally regarded as Wlad's worst fight for grappling, whereas it seemed (again without measurement) like a fairly standard Okolie fight in this respect. Unfortunately, the Matty Askin fight seems to have been deleted from the internet.

    Klitschko-Povetkin grappling exchanges

    Round 1: 14

    Round 2: 11

    Round 3: 10

    Round 4: 14

    Round 5: 17

    Round 6: 15

    Round 7: 16

    Round 8: 18

    Round 9: 15

    Round 10: 19

    Round 11: 15

    Round 12: 20

    Total: 184 grappling exchanges, five throws and one push down

    Okolie-CBS grappling exchanges

    Round 1: 11

    Round 2: 14

    Round 3: 21

    Round 4: 25

    Round 5: 16

    Round 6: 17

    Round 7: 16

    Round 8: 17

    Round 9: 18

    Round 10: 14

    Round 11: 12

    Round 12: 13

    Total: 194 grappling exchanges, a number of headbutts, shoulder attacks and rabbit punches
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2023
    Redbeard7, Jun 1, 2023
    Redbeard7, Jun 1, 2023
    #1
    DaRealJT, serioussam, MorvidusStyle and 2 others like this.
  2. Goran_

    Goran_ Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Klitschko hugged more & more as he got older.. Okolie is in his prime.... so it makes it worse imo.. both performances were embarrassing..
     
    Goran_, Jun 2, 2023
    Goran_, Jun 2, 2023
    #2
  3. MismatchHypejob

    MismatchHypejob Active Member Full Member

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    The excessive clinchers are the ones who have a clear vulnerable chin-

    -Klitschko
    -Okolie
    -Mayweather
     
    MismatchHypejob, Jun 2, 2023
    MismatchHypejob, Jun 2, 2023
    #3
  4. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    Man Wlad really stunk the joint out in that one but let's also give him a small bit of credit in that he didn't initiate all the clinches. If you look at the fight carefully Povetkin was at times falling into Wlad's arms like they rehearsed it, instead of letting rip with combinations like he should have. So sad it could have been an epic fight.
     
    BCS8, Jun 2, 2023
    BCS8, Jun 2, 2023
    #4
  5. ForemanJab

    ForemanJab Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    At least Wlad had power. He put Povetkin on his back like 4 or 5 times.
     
    ForemanJab, Jun 2, 2023
    ForemanJab, Jun 2, 2023
    #5
    UnleashtheFURY likes this.
  6. Lesion of Doom

    Lesion of Doom Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Wladimir was a rough watch at the end of his career. I liked the more methodical style in the 2006-10 range, but it definitely got worse after that.
     
    Lesion of Doom, Jun 2, 2023
    Lesion of Doom, Jun 2, 2023
    #6
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  7. MorvidusStyle

    MorvidusStyle Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Wlad also performed the leaping grapple attack against Povetkin where he closed the distance with a leap in order to perform the foul. He worked on this in secret at his Austrian sauna by pouncing on naked team members unawares.

    It's true Wlad did hurt Povetkin in the fight, but people seem to miss the point that he likely avoided getting clipped and hurt too because he was cheating all fight. Povetkin needs to be closer to land. If Wlad had fought clean, he could have KO'd Povetkin, but also could have been KO'd himself. That's why he cheated instead.
     
    MorvidusStyle, Jun 2, 2023
    MorvidusStyle, Jun 2, 2023
    #7
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  8. Redbeard7

    Redbeard7 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    3 of Wlad's KD's were highly suspect referee calls but he did put Povetkin down with a nice hook to the temple in the 2nd round.
     
    Redbeard7, Jun 2, 2023
    Redbeard7, Jun 2, 2023
    #8
  9. Redbeard7

    Redbeard7 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Wlad may have grappled for most of the fight because he believed that Povetkin was very dangerous (which is the general theory) and/or because of the political tensions between Ukraine and Russia, which have of course intensified greatly since. He may have felt that given the context, he had to secure the win at all costs. Wlad did everything he could to deny anti-LGBT Russia a symbolic victory: beating the most accomplished and famous Ukrainian boxer ever.
     
    Redbeard7, Jun 2, 2023
    Redbeard7, Jun 2, 2023
    #9