What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

[WelshDevilRob]

At the Olimpiyskiy, Moscow, Russia on Saturday night, Wlad gained a UD win over Povetkin.

 

I've not seen it yet but Boxrec makes interesting reading "Povetkin down once in round 2 and three times in round 7, Klitschko deducted a point in round 11".

 

So, a good win for Wlad it seems?

[The_budweiser]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

The ref let him get away with murder Rob.

 

He should of been deducted points early on with a stronger ref and that may have cleaned the fight up.

 

One of the worst boxing heavyweight fights in history.

[BoztheMadman]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

Two of the knockdowns in round 7 were pushdowns and the ref scoring them as knockdowns is nothing short of criminal. Otherwise, Povetkin did well early on but just got worn out by the much bigger Wladimir. At least he can say he went the distance, which was a brave effort in itself. I even gave him one round, lol.

[Skav]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

Povetkin had a good go but Wlad was awful with his holding.

[brooklynbrawler]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

Personally, I think it highlighted where Klitschko is on the all time heavyweight list - nowhere near the elite.

His tactics were finally highlighted (or escalated) when facing someone who is prepared to keep throwing punches instead of the usual stiffs...

 

All he does is throw single jabs and the occasional hook...and before he's even finished throwing it, he's IMMEDIATELY looking for the clinch or to tie up his opponent.

He doesn't have much confidence in his own ability to throw combinations or to box his way out of trouble or to even really box on the front foot.

He spends most of the fight trying to tie up and tire his opponent by constantly leaning on.

This wasn't a one-off in the Povetkin fight, this is happening EVERY fight - the problem is that against past-it, slower, smaller men who have not much of a chance anyway, and tend to lose heart after a few rounds, he tends to take over. Povetkin kept going though and Klitschko just kept using the same tactics for longer and it highlighted to me how poor he actually is.

This is meant to be "boxing", not wrestling.

When he's spending more time trying looking for his opponents face with his oxter and his elbows, than his fists, it pretty much says it all really...

 

I always thought there was a dominance by the Klitschko's and that they didnt get enough credit at times, but I'm waking up to the fact that they maybe get TOO MUCH credit...

[WelshDevilRob]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

I only caught the last two rounds live. Was watching the Selby vs Walsh fight. I did notice plenty of hugging from Wlad while 'Sasha' was blowing hard.

[davemurphy]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

I only caught the last two rounds live. Was watching the Selby vs Walsh fight. I did notice plenty of hugging from Wlad while 'Sasha' was blowing hard.

 

It was hilarioius that the HBO guys kept mentioning that Klitschko was fatigued, when it was Sasha that had his mouth wide-open and was looking like he was starving for air. I think they were just looking for ANYTHING to give viewers the idea that the status quo might change after a few more rounds. They were REALLY reaching.

[poztin]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

A truly dreadful fight from a truly dreadful champion. The sooner K2 are gone from the sport the better.

[BoztheMadman]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

Personally, I think it highlighted where Klitschko is on the all time heavyweight list - nowhere near the elite.

His tactics were finally highlighted (or escalated) when facing someone who is prepared to keep throwing punches instead of the usual stiffs...

 

All he does is throw single jabs and the occasional hook...and before he's even finished throwing it, he's IMMEDIATELY looking for the clinch or to tie up his opponent.

He doesn't have much confidence in his own ability to throw combinations or to box his way out of trouble or to even really box on the front foot.

He spends most of the fight trying to tie up and tire his opponent by constantly leaning on.

This wasn't a one-off in the Povetkin fight, this is happening EVERY fight - the problem is that against past-it, slower, smaller men who have not much of a chance anyway, and tend to lose heart after a few rounds, he tends to take over. Povetkin kept going though and Klitschko just kept using the same tactics for longer and it highlighted to me how poor he actually is.

This is meant to be "boxing", not wrestling.

When he's spending more time trying looking for his opponents face with his oxter and his elbows, than his fists, it pretty much says it all really...

 

I always thought there was a dominance by the Klitschko's and that they didnt get enough credit at times, but I'm waking up to the fact that they maybe get TOO MUCH credit...

I'll never defend this version of Wladimir but you're forgetting he hasn't always fought like this. So to blow him off like this is unfair, the man once kicked ass the right way, until he lost to Sanders and Brewster and became all about caution-plus don't forget Manny Steward was the one who actually turned him to this style. Not that he wanted him to grapple and wrestle but he wanted him to become more cautious, coz he knew otherwise another upsetting ko loss might come anytime.

[brooklynbrawler]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

I'll never defend this version of Wladimir but you're forgetting he hasn't always fought like this. So to blow him off like this is unfair, the man once kicked ass the right way, until he lost to Sanders and Brewster and became all about caution-plus don't forget Manny Steward was the one who actually turned him to this style. Not that he wanted him to grapple and wrestle but he wanted him to become more cautious, coz he knew otherwise another upsetting ko loss might come anytime.

 

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but when he was fighting well and boxing well, he was an "in the mix" fighter at best.

He was no real force and was beaten by a couple of fighters who were not greats by any means.

When he did turn around the tactics, this is when the period of dominance started (which fortunately coincided with a distinct drop in quality within the division).

 

So we may be talking about two different beasts, but the one considered anywhere near an "all time" list, is the wrestling version of Wlad, while the boxer already failed to make the grade.

[BoztheMadman]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but when he was fighting well and boxing well, he was an "in the mix" fighter at best.

He was no real force and was beaten by a couple of fighters who were not greats by any means.

When he did turn around the tactics, this is when the period of dominance started (which fortunately coincided with a distinct drop in quality within the division).

 

So we may be talking about two different beasts, but the one considered anywhere near an "all time" list, is the wrestling version of Wlad, while the boxer already failed to make the grade.

 

HOLD ON NOW! "In the mix"??! He was the WORLD CHAMPION! He shut out prime Chris Byrd, something noone had done before or since. He stopped the old but still iron chinned Mercer in 6, something noone else has done. He totally dominated and exposed McCline. And Corrie Sanders was not great but he coulda been, had he been more dedicated to training. He only lost to Rahman because he gassed, before that he almost iced him. And Brewster? He didn't exactly lose that WBO title he took from Wladimir at once, he made 3 defenses destroying Golota in 1 round, stopping Krasniqi and beating Meehan. You way off here, sorry bud.

[brooklynbrawler]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

HOLD ON NOW! "In the mix"??! He was the WORLD CHAMPION! He shut out prime Chris Byrd, something noone had done before or since. He stopped the old but still iron chinned Mercer in 6, something noone else has done. He totally dominated and exposed McCline. And Corrie Sanders was not great but he coulda been, had he been more dedicated to training. He only lost to Rahman because he gassed, before that he almost iced him. And Brewster? He didn't exactly lose that WBO title he took from Wladimir at once, he made 3 defenses destroying Golota in 1 round, stopping Krasniqi and beating Meehan. You way off here, sorry bud.

 

I stand by that comment.

He was "in the mix" in that he wasn't dominant...he wasn't head ans shoulders above everyone...he wasn't THE boxer of his generation...he was just "in the mix".

He was "A" champion....not THE champion. In the same way that Cornelius Bundrage and Paulie Malignaggi and Ishe Smith have been champions recently. Plenty respectable wins between them but none of the above were the man to beat.

Wlad wasn't near the Lewis's, Holyfields, Bowe's or even the Tyson's etc etc

The fact you rattled off the likes of Jameel McCline and a shot Ray Mercer pretty much sums that much up...Byrd had been smashed up by Ibeabuchi in his only top level bout up to the Wlad shutout, so at the time it was nothing of note.

 

He was nowhere near the dominant fighter that he is today, where some have recently suggested he is among the best heavyweight's ever.

 

I'm not by any means saying he is a BAD heavyweight, but he is neither statistically or stylistically one of the best either.

[LondonRingRules]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

Personally, I think it highlighted where Klitschko is on the all time heavyweight list - nowhere near the elite.

His tactics were finally highlighted (or escalated) when facing someone who is prepared to keep throwing punches instead of the usual stiffs...

 

All he does is throw single jabs and the occasional hook...and before he's even finished throwing it, he's IMMEDIATELY looking for the clinch or to tie up his opponent.

He doesn't have much confidence in his own ability to throw combinations or to box his way out of trouble or to even really box on the front foot.

He spends most of the fight trying to tie up and tire his opponent by constantly leaning on.

This wasn't a one-off in the Povetkin fight, this is happening EVERY fight - the problem is that against past-it, slower, smaller men who have not much of a chance anyway, and tend to lose heart after a few rounds, he tends to take over. Povetkin kept going though and Klitschko just kept using the same tactics for longer and it highlighted to me how poor he actually is.

This is meant to be "boxing", not wrestling.

When he's spending more time trying looking for his opponents face with his oxter and his elbows, than his fists, it pretty much says it all really...

 

I always thought there was a dominance by the Klitschko's and that they didnt get enough credit at times, but I'm waking up to the fact that they maybe get TOO MUCH credit...

 

--- Let's go look at Ali or Holmes at this age and tell me how that went?

 

Pretty damn sorry, and even before they all had some sorry bouts they should have lost big time. Yeah, Wlad put in his worst tactical and visual performance ever in a foreign promotion where all the ducks lined up against him, yet knocked down a guy never down before 4x and beat the hell out of him when not rag dolling him.

 

Now compare that to the featherdusting fencing match of Floydy/Canelo where the best shot of the fight was at the close of the first round when Floydy landed a Popkins upperbutt. Floydy fighting in his hometown forever now with all the bigshots lined up in his corner compared to poor Canelo's promoter being dried out in rehab, and somehow that canned hunt against a very young fighter giving up all the ring advantages and having to drag the ref around as a ball and chain was a good match?

 

Of the 3 "big fights" this year, 2 were washouts as spectacles and one failed to make the starting gate as you burned your wallet yet again on Mr. Pink. Bad year for boxing other than a few good fights early on even if the year closes strongly.

[LondonRingRules]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

Wlad wasn't near the Lewis's, Holyfields, Bowe's or even the Tyson's etc etc

 

--- Lewis, Field, Bowe, and Tyson weren't even near Ali, Rocky, or Louis using your logic.

 

As far as your recall, Mercer had arguably beat Lewis in a hotly disputed Majority decision and then beat Spoon next time out along with knocking out a half dozen fringe contender types before Wlad, so by extension using your logic, Mercer must have been shot before he met Lewis since Mercer was beat by Field and Ferguson prior to that.

 

McCline was on a 6 year run most of what was a top contender beating Ipitan, Cole, Whittaker and Briggs before Wlad knocked him out. Three knockout wins later including undefeated Cedric Boswell he took reigning IBF champ Byrd to a hotly disputed split decision loss, knocking him down in the process. Yeah, he dropped a pair to undefeated Brock and Valuev, but then took another disputed loss against Peter whom he knocked down 3x.

 

It was a bad performance by Wlad, but he still beat the guy badly and knocked him down 4x. Canelo and Floydy came out of their matches fresh as daisies, just the way you like 'em to be apparently.

[selij]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

Jab and hold. Jab and hold. Referee a fucking disgrace and obviously had a brown envelope. Why Klit wasn't deducted 2 pts for the 2 judo throws is beyond me. And he needed a pt deducting in every round for persistent holding. I have to agree with Poztin - the sooner this steroid dependent conman retires the better.

 

http://i2.wp.com/www.boxingnews24.com/wp-content/uploads/wlad99.jpg?zoom=1.5&resize=400%2C330

 

http://i2.wp.com/www.eastsideboxing.com/wp-content/uploads/wlad793.jpg?resize=299%2C290

Edited October 7, 2013 by selij

[Ton]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

Think this is a case where ability & traits work in his favour but pure talent, boxing style and talent of opposition faced are all against him in terms of where he ranks all time.

 

I've no doubt that the Wlad of the last 6 years, who has perfected his paw jab defence to break them down would trouble ANY heavyweight in history. Maybe some of the top guys would have got through and iced him, but he's definitely a match up for um all. That said, it's not an exciting style and the level of competition has been so poor that it doesn't help his claim for infamy.

[BoztheMadman]

Re: What did you make of Wladimir Klitschko vs Alexander Povetkin?

 

--- Lewis, Field, Bowe, and Tyson weren't even near Ali, Rocky, or Louis using your logic.

 

As far as your recall, Mercer had arguably beat Lewis in a hotly disputed Majority decision and then beat Spoon next time out along with knocking out a half dozen fringe contender types before Wlad, so by extension using your logic, Mercer must have been shot before he met Lewis since Mercer was beat by Field and Ferguson prior to that.

 

McCline was on a 6 year run most of what was a top contender beating Ipitan, Cole, Whittaker and Briggs before Wlad knocked him out. Three knockout wins later including undefeated Cedric Boswell he took reigning IBF champ Byrd to a hotly disputed split decision loss, knocking him down in the process. Yeah, he dropped a pair to undefeated Brock and Valuev, but then took another disputed loss against Peter whom he knocked down 3x.

 

It was a bad performance by Wlad, but he still beat the guy badly and knocked him down 4x. Canelo and Floydy came out of their matches fresh as daisies, just the way you like 'em to be apparently.

 

Exactly! He didn't look stylish or anything but he did throw him off his game completely and Povetkin is not exactly a bad fighter. While nobody likes to see a heavyweight champion use that amount of pushing down and wrestling, its the way the boxing is today-you do everything you need to win. As LRR pointed out, he was fighting in the other guy's homeground.