-Povetkin will attempt to shock the world on September 11 against champion Wladimir Klitschko-
Here we go again. One of the Brothers Klitschko will face another mandatory challenger in a fight where the game plan is simple for the opponent, GET INSIDE… but will it be successfully applied, finally? On September 11, 2010, it’s little brother Klitschko, Wladimir, who will be putting his IBF and WBO Heavyweight titles on the line against the undefeated Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, Germany.
Klitschko vs. Povetkin Tale of the Tape
Wladimir Klitschko is 34 years old, with a record of 54 wins and 3 losses. He stands at 6 feet and 6 inches tall, with an 81 reach, fighting out of the Orthodox stance.
Alexander Povetkin is 30 years old, with a superb record to date of 19 wins and 0 losses. He stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall and also fights out of the Orthodox stance.
Klitschko vs. Povetkin Preview
Wladimir “Dr. Steelhammer” Klitschko is the current IBF and WBO Heavyweight Champion of the world. His career has been resurrected under the expert tutelage of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, after many experts questioned Klitschko’s stamina, chin and heart, and whether he had what it takes to compete at a high level.
Dr. Steelhammer has an excellent amateur background and after turning professional in 1996, Klitschko won his first twenty four fights before running out of gas in a 1998 fight against American Ross Puritty. After losing to Puritty, Klitschko got back on track, going unbeaten in a four year stretch, and then ran into stamina and chin issues again losing to both Corrie Sanders in 2003 and Lamon Brewster in 2004.
Since bringing on Emanuel Steward on in 2004, Klitschko and Lewis have proven to be a winning combination, sporting an impressive undefeated record since the Brewster fight, with wins over most of the top heavyweights in the world such as Chris Byrd, Sultan Ibragimov, Ruslan Chagaev Samuel Peter and “Fast” Eddie Chambers.
Alexander “White Lion” Povetkin also had a great amateur career, winning gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece as a Super Heavyweight. Before competing in boxing, the White Lion won kickboxing championships, both as an amateur in 1997 and professionally in 2000.
Povetkin decided to box professionally in 2005, and since then he has been tearing through the division with notable wins over Larry Donald, Chris Byrd, and “Fast” Eddie Chambers, though, he has not been tested like he will be when he faces the Heavyweight King Wladimir Klitschko in September.
Klitschko vs. Povetkin Prediction
This fight on September 11 is simple. Just like all of the other opponents that Wladimir Klitschko has faced, he has a significant height and reach advantage over his opponent. Therefore Povetkin’s only chance to shock the world will be to get inside of Klitschko’s magnificent left jab and beat him to the body, being willing and able in the meantime to take the punishment that Dr. Steelhammer will surely deliver.
One thing Povetkin does have going for him is pressure and activity. With the addition of world class trainer Teddy Atlas, I am sure that Povetkin’s pressure will be tight and improved and he will be well prepared for the biggest fight of his career.
I do give Povetkin a shot in this fight to shock the world if he uses effective pressure and improves on his defense, which has at times appeared to be a defense of catching punches with his face. When he does get hit, he’ll of course need to withstand the fire that Klitschko will throw back if and when he gets into range. I hope that the impossible will happen, but I just think that in the end, Klitschko’s experience as champion will kick in and Povetkin will fall into Klitschko’s usual routine. If Klitschko ties him up and leans on him if Povetkin can get inside, Povetkin will tire out and then Klitschko will explode on him with that signature right cross. That’s if Povetkin even manages to get past the jab to begin with.
Prediction: Klitschko by 10th round Technical Knockout.
