Povetkin, What am I missing?

I think that's a fair observation.

But to me, his work-rate didn't even warrant a stoppage in the Byrd fight. Granted again, I haven't seen the WHOLE fight, but its not as if Byrd wasn't defending and throwing back (almost seemed like the ref just stepped in and stopped it cause he felt like it). I'm ASSUMING Povetkin was WELL WELL ahead and Byrd had no chance of getting back into the fight, or otherwise I'd consider that a controversial stoppage.

 

I thought it was a solid performance. Technically, Povetkin isn't slick, but he does have skill. He's a good judge of distance, balanced almost all the time, very heavy handed, throws combinations from multiple angles for a big man, aggressive, throws a ton of punches.

All of those are good things.

He does have some defensive liabilities, but remember Chambers has some of the quickest hands you'll ever see on a heavyweight. No shame in eating some counters from him. Povetkin did seem to get tired, but he also never stopped throwing punches. I think Chambers might have possibly stopped him, but the fact is he didn't, and Povetkin imposed his will.

Povetkin isn't Ali, granted, but he is very, very formidable and fun to watch. When he gets in there with the slower heavyweights he will be in some excellent fights. I personally think a fight with Wlad or Sultan would be very entertaining, and no, I don't think Wlad blows him out.

 

There you go.

atsch to me

 

I guess it is adaptation. Povetkin makes adjustments during the fight. He can lose few first rounds. But he has determination. He adapts, imposes his will on opponent and turns the heat on. He can be very effective and his punches really meaningful then.

Byrd was competetive for some 6-8 rounds. Then his tank got empty and Povetkin got a second wind.

Last fight. Povetkin is not used to be hit at will especially hit a lot. So he fought in a hurry and wasn't doing it smart which he compensated with high rate.

 

I thin the reason Povetkin didnt stop Chambers is because Eddie fought like a coward...had his hands up like 90% of the damn fight...its hard to fight someone like that especially when the guy leans back at the same time whenever Alex would take a step forward. If he had thrown more than 5 punches a round, Alex would've probably looked better.

 

I like Sasha, but I think Wladdy KHTFO.

 

I have seen about 10 of Povetkin's fights, and this is the worst I've seen him. His speed and snap on his punches were gone, his footwork and head movement were also out to lunch. While Chambers has a great defense and great coutnering ability, something just was not right with Povetkin last night.

He beat Chambers on will power, and stmaina more than anything else.

 

i think what makes povetkin impressive is he is an all rounder with good power, workrate and angles. not earth shattering power like wladimir, but enough mustard to make opponents think twice about going to town on him.

you combine good power with the sheer volume of punches he throws, and sometimes from odd angles too, then you'll have a fighter who makes things uncomfortable. i've always preferred fighters to throw often as opposed to being a fighter who has a low output. one of the reasons is that it not only looks entertaining but also helps win the judges over even if your not always accurate.

also another subtle thing he does is he adjust to his opponents gameplan. so far he usually gets his way by workrate and respectable power, BUT also occassionaly tries to slip and weave and move when he finds it helps against a particular fighter. when he realised standing in front of eddie was not a good idea, he decided to start moving around the ring, in and out. doesn't seem flash but it's enough to win those rounds.

i still believe wladimir outclasses povetkin and stops him in the middle rounds, and i also think there will be others out there that could beat him, but povetkin is a quality contender, and so far is improving at a good pace.