Povetkin Won But...

Ahem, maybe I want too much from Povetkin at this stage. It was a good step after all. I just have the feeling that something is missing.

 

This is a big impressive win for Povetkin, Cris is not champion material anymore but he is still top-15 fighter at heavywheight. If Povetkin wins this tournament and emerges an improved, more seasoned fighter out of it, he may be a real menace to Wlad by mid 2008.
Some people are underating this impressive victory of Povetkin, but Byrd senior, a veteran coach of many big fights and two HW belts would never have thrown in the towel if his son was not in real trouble, he's only done it against Wlad.
For Cris, he showed he is still very competitive and may have one more good year in him. I think he could move down do Cruiserwheight, his natural wheight class, where he can have a legit shot at the belt and go directly for a title fight, or he could opt for a lucrative farewell bout against Holyfield/Golota and retire with a win.

 

just a doubt, if Wlad beats Iggy, I guess he will have to defend against Thompson before Povetkin right? he is the WBO mandatory a lot longer than the winner of the IBF tourney.

 

Why would Wlad want to "get knocked the **** out?" His fights
are easily the most exciting to watch in the heavyweight division
even with his new, improved defensive minded approach to dismantling
his opponents. He still has that Tysonesque explosive power in
either hand which can be unleashed instantly. Just rewatch him
slaughter the huge, durable Austin with three massive left hooks.
A WWII vet I watched the fight with said, "He hooks like Joe Louis"
after Wlad KO'ed Austin. He's even working on his uppercut which
fans saw him unleash in the recent Brewster fight. Manny knows
how to teach a tall fighter how to win and with Wlad's tremendous
power and terrific jab he will always be just one punch away from
KO'ing anyone they put in front of him. BTW he smokes Povetkin
but Im very impressed with Sasha who will beat Chambers.

 

Wlads new fighting style is not that exciting, most of his fights are pretty boring till the middle rounds when he starts opening up. Vitali was alot more exiting and poplular in the states, Vitali fought on PPV something Wlad has never done before.

I understand Wlads chin and stamina is a big reason why he cant fight that exciting anymore, where his brother never had that problem. I think people as a whole want a new champion like Povetkin, who is very likable and fun to watch.

 

Good quote from Povetkin: ""He is a very good defensive fighter. It didn't make sense for me to keep throwing punches like that," the Russian said of the torrid early pace."

Dude is able to adjust. Reminds me of one other Russian fighter - by the name of Fedor. Brain is most potent offensive weapon. More important then size and strength.

 

I have not been able to follow Povetkin's career enough to comment
on him much but I unlike a lot of posters here was very impressed with
his TKO of the defensive wizard Chris Byrd. I think A.P. will get an
easier, even more decisive victory over Chambers who will I think
be easier to hit. The bit I've seen on Povetkin from You-tube and
other places on the net show a very technically sound fighter
who overwhelms his opponents with constant pressure and good
infighting skills. He has tremendous endurance, good power and
can cut the ring off well so yes he is very exciting. I hope he
goes after anybody but Wlad as I think he needs more seasoning.
I suppose if anybody can whip Wlad in the future it probably would
be a pressure fighter with good boxing fundamentals like Sasha.

 

I agree, though I would exchange good boxing fundamentals for power. Sam Peter had the right idea went he fought Wlad 2 years ago, but with his lack of experience was unable to finish Wlad when he had him hurt, instead he chose to smother his punches and let Wlad back into the fight.

 

Povetkin is under rated on heart, intangibles, smarts, and toughness. Fans tend to under rated these attributes, and focus on power or speed. Povetkin has the speed. His power is good, but not great.

I don't think Povetkin has a major weakness, and he will certainly not lose the way Wlad has in the past. Can he beat Wlad? Sure. Will he? Time will tell.

It is not easy to look good vs either Donald or Byrd. Povetkin winning these fights early in his career points to him being the real deal.

 

I think rather than head straight for a fast title shot and possible overmatching , they should allow him a 6 months of boxing top 15 men and seeing how he developes as a comfortable top 5 prospective challenger , He doesn't need the complete rush job.. He may rise a better heavyweight after a year of preparing.. even a loss at top class wont hurt a man like Sasha if its all in the name of learning......

 

Have you ever even seen him fight?