Klitschko vs Povetkin preview – A very real test in Russia for Wlad
By Niall Doran
This weekend will see a fight finally happen that has actually been scheduled to take place before and has been called upon by fight fans for years. The premier heavyweight in the world today, Wladimir Klitschko will finally grant the unbeaten Alexander Povetkin a crack at his extensive range of belts that includes the IBF, WBO, WBA and IBO world title straps. Not to mention he will be giving him a chance to be the first man in a very long time to actually beat the heavyweight king.
For a change though, not everything will be in Klitschko’s favour this weekend. He will be travelling to Povetkin’s backyard in Russia with the fight taking place in the magnificent Olimpiyskiy stadium where the challenger will surely enjoy a roaring partisan crowd cheering him on. Remember it’s been a while since Wlad has fought outside Germany now, maybe this hostile atmosphere could unnerve him slightly? He’s also going in with a fellow Olympic Gold medalist with Povetkin, so pedigree wise he will be facing certainly the best fighter he has boxed since David Haye (all be it he didn’t put up much of a fight).
Stylistically its the same old problem for any fighter going into a fight with Wlad, how do you get inside the monstrous reach and jab that he uses so effectively and safely? If Povetkin is to have any chance really his footwork and head movement must be at its very sharpest and perhaps better than its ever been before. I’ve watched Povetkin a few times, good fighter. He does most things well technically and as you would expect from a Russian, he’s teak tough. As history has shown us though, this isn’t enough to beat Wlad.
I think a lot of fight fans around the world will be routing for Povetkin to pull off the upset as most people like to route for an underdog. I don’t however envisage a victory for the very game Russian actually manifesting itself into a reality though.
I think for as long as it goes he will provide a stiff test for Wlad no doubt, but that crazy reach that he has almost perfected at using at this stage will eventually wear Povetkin down with one twos and more than likely result in a Wlad very late stoppage or unanimous points win. Ya never know though, now that Wlad is boxing outside of Germany and it does go to points, maybe the boot will be on the other foot so to speak and perhaps a dubious decision could against him… I suspect Wlad will be training for this eventuality and will be looking to take Povetkin out along the way to add to his 50+ tally of concussed victims.
I remember an episode in the popular TV series Only Fools and Horses been called “From Prussia with Love” – I cant see there being too much love shown to Povetkin by Wlad on Saturday night when that bell rings. Wlad by late KO for me but would love to be proved wrong by the underdog.
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