It's hard to say with Lyakhovich's inactivity and inconsistency. Against Brewster, he looked like the second best heavyweight in the world, showing fine boxing skills, an excellent chin, heart, in-fighting ability, bodypunching, and the ability to box from the outside. But against Briggs, he looked lethargic and uninterested. I've never seen the Maurice Harris knockout. I think the year off (for the second time in his career) will help him get some of his hunger back and he'll be prepared, but I look for Valuev to edge out a points decision by outworking Sergei.
If Liakhovich comes in shape he should be able to outwork Valuev to a UD, he has a good body attack as well which should prove quite effective against the giant. IMO Valuev only wins if Sergei's stamina and conditioning are shite and he fades in the later rounds. P.S. Why are the poll results adding up to over 120%?
I dont know why the polls do that.. I started a thread the other day with a poll on it and it did the same exact thing..
Valuev has no business losing to Sergiatsch he needs to stop him or win decisively, to keep his career going.. Valuev KO LATE..
I'm picking Valuev to win. It can be a decission but more on a K.O. or T.K.O. Valuev just lost his first fight . . . and he'll come in hungry and prepared, ready to avenge his loss.
This fight will depend on how Liakhovich decides to fight. He would have to turn it up a notch on the inside, which Chagaev was effective enough at doing. I thought the Chagaev/Valuev fight was still close, so Liakhovich should have had a good enough training camp after such a long layoff (which I think won't help him). The way he fought Briggs was terrible, he should've tried to outwork Briggs and make him quit. Fighting on the outside and away from Valuev won't help him, I doubt he'll win a jabbing contest against Valuev (although his jab is not very, his reach and height advantage would be enough). I voted for Valuev, I think the layoff and loss to Briggs may have done some psychological damage that could surface in the ring, whereas Valuev has improved (slightly) since his earlier days.
Liakhovich will have been out of the fight game for about 16 months when he fights Valuev, almost the same amount of time he was out when he challanged Brewster for the title. I do think Valuev will win this fight by knockout, he fought scared when fought Briggs who was a couple inches taller and about 40 pounds heavier, I believe this messed with Liakhovich's mind a little bit, plus Briggs packs some serious power, probably even more so than Brewster. Valuev is a huge man, with great stamina and chin, he will be able to get his jab through often, and when he catches Liakhovich with the right, Sergei will panic and fall apart, the man is gun shy IMO. Valuev by 7th round knockout.
I predict Sergei will land numerous body punches that will bother Valuev. Valuev may be able to hit Lyak with some jabs but I think most of his punches are slow. White Wolf by UD
Liachovich too stupid to win this one. ("if i ever see you on the rope like this i swear i'll throw stool at you")