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Boxing Craft - by johnmichael-bric

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Boxing Craft - October 2007

Chris Byrd vs. Alexander Povetkin: Old vs. New

October 22nd 2007 22:05

Former IBF Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd will be facing off with top prospect Alexander Povetkin of Russia this Saturday for a chance to fight IBF Champion Wladimir Klitschko next year. This will be a match between an aging but capable veteran versus a young and promising prospect. Chirs Byrd is considered a small Heavyweight. He started as Light Heavyweight in his career (175 lbs) before jumping straight to the 200 lb division. He does not have serious pop in his punches (21 KOs in 40 wins) but wins his fights by scoring well placed punches and making his opponents miss. He is also known to "swat" away his opponents punches which is like slapping the arms downward to deflect it and has injured shoulders with that strategy. It has worked in many of fights and eventually beat guys like Evander Holyfield, David Tua, and Jameel McCline. But sometimes his size can be a problem for him (6' and 210 lbs). He was thoroughly outboxed by Andrew Golota but somehow the judges called it a draw and Wladimir Klitschko demolished him in 7 rounds. He recently returned last April and fought journeyman Paul Marinaccio. He won by TKO in the 7th round but it was not something to be proud of. He is still a formidable contender at the advanced age of 37 and certainly can be a problem for other Heavyweights with his defensive fighting style.

Alexander Povetkin is a fast rising 28 year old prospect known for stopping opponents with a barrage of punches. He dominated 40 year old veteran Larry Donald last June but he wasn't able to stop him and won unanimous decision in 10 rounds. So far, most of the fighters he beat are much lower in level compared to the ones Byrd has faced. He does have good power in his hands because he has 10 KOs in 13 wins but relies on pressuring his opponents then throwing many hard punches up close. Fighting Chris Byrd would be a huge step up for him. He should prepare for Byrd's defensive tactics and I am pretty sure claiming a victory over him would be pretty hard.

I see Chris Bryd winning this fight by decision because of his experience and better level of competition. Povetkin will have a hard time hitting Byrd since he is defensively slick and is a good counter puncher. But this match can also be a snoozefest since many of Byrd's bout was boring to watch. Sometimes he doesn't throw punches and just runs away. I just hope to see an entertaining match this Saturday.

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Posted By: Wilfredo A. Estrada III - Category: No Category

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Comments

5 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Harry

October 22nd 2007 23:29

World Art
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Many boxers seem to keep going into their late thirties and forties despite the fact that it's such a bruising sport. Do you think it's because of the money involved that keeps them going?

Comment by Catherine

October 23rd 2007 01:23

Natural Animals

It will certainly be an interesting fight. Not sure if I would want to be still slogging it out at Byrd's age.

Comment by Anonymous

October 23rd 2007 03:49

Harry - yes it is the money keeps these old heavyweights going. The good thing about the big men is that they reach their prime compared to their lower weight counterparts.

Catherine - Byrd is still capable of fighting anyone because of his defensive nature but I also think he will have difficulty with Povetkin's numerous hard punches.

Comment by Lanford

October 24th 2007 01:48

I am about 90% sure that Povetkin will win this match.
I am about 50% sure that he will win by knockout.

It's hard not to like Povetkin. He has all the earmarks of someone who has the ability to do some very great things and I hope that he is an ATG in the making.

Donald is now a more elusive fighter than Chris Byrd is, Donald has always fought cautiously and to knock him out is something that even the hardest hitters would have a tough job of doing. Povetkin has very good combination power, he does not hit as hard as some heavyweight, but his punches take their toll over time and he knows how to finish a fighter off.

Byrd fought the wrong style against WK the second time around, if he wanted to slug it out, he picked the wrong guy to try and do that with. He will be more cautious with Povetkin who will win by UD (taking most of the rounds) and if Byrd opens up I think he will get knocked out.

Povetkin's rise to contender status is the kind of no b.s. that boxing has been missing for several years. His amateur background is one of the best ever.

Comment by Wilfredo

October 24th 2007 02:26

Lanford - I still think a win will not come easy for Povetkin. Byrd is still elusive defensively sound. I agree he did have a very bad game plan against Wlad though.

[ Previous - Kelly Pavlik: On Top of the Middleweight Food Chain ]

[ Next - Wladimir Klitschko: The Man to Beat in the Heavyweights ]

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