Will HBO Embrace Povetkin?

He has a future even if he doesn't win the IBF title. He's a very exciting and aggressive fighter; a fresh face in the division.

If Povetkin passes his first big test in Chris Byrd, he'll draw an audience, you can bet on that. :good

 

And what is the basis for this conjecture?

Skill level? Povetkin is just as skilled - or more skilled.
Chin? If anything, Povetkin did not give any reason to doubt his, and we all know the story with Wlad.
Stamina? No issues here for Povetkin.
Workrate? Povetkin has a higher workrate.
Heart? You do not get to be a dominant amateur without heart, they both got it.

So the only objecive advantage for Wlad is height, power and professional experience. That is no gimme that that would be enough.

Wlad did not fight anybody as dangerous to him as Povetkin.

 

Povetkin has a future in the USA for sure. Povetkin is an exciting fighter, and one that fans of 220 pound heavyweights will embrace. Skill wise, Povetkin is better than Chagaev, or Ibragimov. He doesn't hit as hard as Wlad ( who does ) but I am more than sure Povetkin would never lose the way Wlad has.

 

Povetkin's ability will be the key to his success. Quite frankly, the whole "white hope" mythos is pretty much obsolete nowadays so the fast and easy way of marketing Povetkin is gone. The public of the USA will have to see Povetkin in action and then determine their opinion of him. Having enough skills to win a title does not guarantee popularity eg Byrd and Ruiz and Povetkin doesn't seem to have Tyson's volatility, he does not seem to be a wrecking machine who is on an obvious mission of selfdestruction like Iron Mike. Povetkin has quality skills but will that make him a star? Watch Povetkin fight Chris Byrd and we'll get an idea.

 

You do not know boxing. Fact.

 

atsch

 

It was a joke.. the quotation marks should have given it away. If theres one boxer I'm a hater of it's Wlad.

As for Povetkin's crossover appeal, I don't think he could ever become a household name like Tyson or Holyfield, even if he cleans out the division and is undisputed for the next 10 years. He is not going to be learning English and has said for years in interviews that he hates being away from home, so he will always be in Russia. The only way I could see him getting huge populaity from non-boxing fans in America is if a great American HW comes up in the future and they have a superfight.

 

No kidding? I really wish that HBO and Showtime would pick up more fights from Europe.

As far as Povetkin if he beats Wladimir, especially if he stops him, and if enough people in the states talk about him I am sure HBO would back him. He has speed, power, technical ability, and a pleasing style.