If we think about fighters who have emerged from obscurity this year few rival the destructive Sergey Kovalev (22-0-1, 20). Kovalev, who a year ago was fighting the likes of Lionell Thompson ad Darnell Boone. is now the WBO Light Heavyweight champion and a man that fans feel the need to watch.
The destructive Kovalev has had a career defining year in 2013 defeating the highly regarded Gabriel Campillo in 3 rounds, the world ranked Cornelius White, also in 3 rounds, and the then WBO world champion in 4 rounds. Although he has only been in 10 rounds of action through the whole year he left a pile of bodies in his wake and none are ever likely to be the same fighter they once were.
What Kovalev does so well is he destroys whilst doing the basics well. He's not the reckless force of nature like Srisaket Sor Rungvisai but is a calm and controlled wrecking ball who uses a high work rate, lots of sharp straight shots and a grinding mentality. He seems to know that whilst no single show may take an opponent out cold his sheer work rate will break them mentally and physically, as shown against Cleverly who was a broken man after just 3 rounds.
What Kovalev also has, as well as his work rate and heavy hands, is the mentality that even if he takes one he'll have the opponent backing up taking the power off the shot anyway. No one wants a tear up with this guy and with good reason, he's a monster!
Whilst Kovalev has gone from total obscurity to world champion in the space of two years his challenger, Ismayl Sillakh (21-1, 17), has gone from a promising fighter to who?
Sillakh was once viewed as a superstar in the making with flair, a fun to watch style and similarities to Roy Jones Jr. Unfortunately a set back loss to Denis Grachev last year took all his momentum and left many wondering whether or not he had the chin to go up to the next level. He had the skills, and power for sure but if a fighter hasn't got the ability to take a punch then they will always have question marks over their head.
Whilst Sillakh has bounced back from the loss to Grachev with with 4 victories, including 3 by stoppage, they have been against very weak opponents and the step up from them to Kovalev is a massive step up. A step up that I can't see Sillakh making at this point in time.
Although certainly dangerous I have a feeling that Sillakh will walk on to a bomb at some point and Kovalev, one of the best finishers in the game, will turn it up forcing the referee to save Sillakh. And by that I aren;t using Howard Foster's definition of saving a fighter, if Sillakh is allowed to continue whilst hurt he will almost certainly end up in hospital due to Kovalev's destructiveness.
Prediction-Kovalev TKO5
Showing posts with label Ukrainian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ukrainian. Show all posts
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Friday, 4 October 2013
Wladimir Klitschko v Alexander Povetkin
It's been a very long time since we saw a proverbial "passing of the torch" in the Heavyweight division. This weekend however does give us a chance at doing just that as unbeaten Russian Alexander Povektin (26-0, 18) finally faces Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko (60-3, 51) in a long awaited battle for the title of Heavyweight Kingpin.
The 34 year old Russian, a former amateur stand out who won both the World Amateur and Olympic Gold medals, is a man on a mission. A mission that he was set when he first turned professional just over 8 years ago. To become the world Heavyweight champion.
It was, in the eyes of many a goal Povetkin looked set to do with ease when he first burst on to the professional ranks with a difficult schedule of matches that he made look easy. Unfortunately in recent years however he has gone, at least in the eyes of the media, from future king the court jester as bouts have fallen through whilst other, less interesting, bouts have managed to materialise.
When Povetkin should have been fighting the likes of Klitschko and David Haye he has been busy fighting old men like Hasim Rahman and Cedric Boswell. This has seen many fans, as well as media, turn away from Povetkin though it has looked at times like he's been fighting within himself with only Marco Huck really pushing him so far and we all know that Huck gives anyone a good fight.
With solid skills, decent power, decent speed and toughness Povetkin does look like a challenger who has the abilities to trouble anyone in the division. As well as those skills however Povetkin appears to have had a few jokers up his sleeve for this bout. Firstly it's in Moscow, the Russian capital where Povetkin will be a bigger fan favourite than Klitschko. This is a huge change to Klitschko's usual fights where he is the home fighter and the man who the fans are behind.
The second joker has been the mind games played by the Povetkin camp who have asked Dereck Chisora to observe the hand wrapping of Klitschko. After Klitschko and Chisora have had several run in's together this is a clever strategy of trying to throw the usually calm Klitschko.
The final one has been that Povetkin has actually shown up to this fight. In two prior meetings scheduled between these two Povetkin has pulled out, this time however the Russian is here and here to fight. This alone could throw Klitschko who may have been expecting another pull out from Russian.
Although Povetkin has got those jokers in his pocket it's fair to say that he will still need to get in the ring and beat the 37 year old Ukrainian, a man many have viewed as the premier Heavyweight for the better part of a decade.
Although Klitschko has made a career out of the jab and grab technique he is a highly skilled and powerful fighter himself with surprising hand speed, educated control of distance and a potent right hand. If that right lands clean most fighters will fall.
It's actually the grab part of Klitschko's tactics that lead me to thinking Povetkin will win here. Povetkin isn't a former Cruiserweight, like Haye or Moremeck, he's a strong, powerful Heavyweight who will be able to hold his own in the clinches. Povetkin also isn't a lazy fighter, he's a fighter who has shown a willingness to go to the well to retain his unbeaten record, as he did against Ruslan Chagaev and Marco Huck. I can see him showing that same heart and mental fortitude to get inside and despite being grabbed he will still unload on the inside slowly but surely out-working and breaking down Klitschko.
I know it's an outside bet but I'll be backing Povetkin by stoppage here!
Prediction-Povetkin TKO8
The 34 year old Russian, a former amateur stand out who won both the World Amateur and Olympic Gold medals, is a man on a mission. A mission that he was set when he first turned professional just over 8 years ago. To become the world Heavyweight champion.
It was, in the eyes of many a goal Povetkin looked set to do with ease when he first burst on to the professional ranks with a difficult schedule of matches that he made look easy. Unfortunately in recent years however he has gone, at least in the eyes of the media, from future king the court jester as bouts have fallen through whilst other, less interesting, bouts have managed to materialise.
When Povetkin should have been fighting the likes of Klitschko and David Haye he has been busy fighting old men like Hasim Rahman and Cedric Boswell. This has seen many fans, as well as media, turn away from Povetkin though it has looked at times like he's been fighting within himself with only Marco Huck really pushing him so far and we all know that Huck gives anyone a good fight.
With solid skills, decent power, decent speed and toughness Povetkin does look like a challenger who has the abilities to trouble anyone in the division. As well as those skills however Povetkin appears to have had a few jokers up his sleeve for this bout. Firstly it's in Moscow, the Russian capital where Povetkin will be a bigger fan favourite than Klitschko. This is a huge change to Klitschko's usual fights where he is the home fighter and the man who the fans are behind.
The second joker has been the mind games played by the Povetkin camp who have asked Dereck Chisora to observe the hand wrapping of Klitschko. After Klitschko and Chisora have had several run in's together this is a clever strategy of trying to throw the usually calm Klitschko.
The final one has been that Povetkin has actually shown up to this fight. In two prior meetings scheduled between these two Povetkin has pulled out, this time however the Russian is here and here to fight. This alone could throw Klitschko who may have been expecting another pull out from Russian.
Although Povetkin has got those jokers in his pocket it's fair to say that he will still need to get in the ring and beat the 37 year old Ukrainian, a man many have viewed as the premier Heavyweight for the better part of a decade.
Although Klitschko has made a career out of the jab and grab technique he is a highly skilled and powerful fighter himself with surprising hand speed, educated control of distance and a potent right hand. If that right lands clean most fighters will fall.
It's actually the grab part of Klitschko's tactics that lead me to thinking Povetkin will win here. Povetkin isn't a former Cruiserweight, like Haye or Moremeck, he's a strong, powerful Heavyweight who will be able to hold his own in the clinches. Povetkin also isn't a lazy fighter, he's a fighter who has shown a willingness to go to the well to retain his unbeaten record, as he did against Ruslan Chagaev and Marco Huck. I can see him showing that same heart and mental fortitude to get inside and despite being grabbed he will still unload on the inside slowly but surely out-working and breaking down Klitschko.
I know it's an outside bet but I'll be backing Povetkin by stoppage here!
Prediction-Povetkin TKO8
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Stanyslav Kashtanov v Jaime Barboza
This weekend, in all honesty, is a very busy one, on both the world title front and the general boxing front. When it comes to busy weeks there is always a fight or two that gets forgotten about and this week the clearest example of that is the WBA "interim" Super Middleweight title bout in Ukraine.
The defending champion, Ukrainian fighter Stanyslav Kashtanov (30-1, 16), may very well be the most obscure champion active champion, even in the current world of "interim" champions. It's fair to say that he wouldn't make it into my top 20 at Super Middleweight though the intelligence of the WBA has seen him ending up with a world title.
Although obscure Kashtanov is a decent enough fighter. In a by gone era of champions defending on a regular basis he'd be a fringe contender who would likely have gotten a chance somewhere down the line to fight the champion, and lose to him. Instead Kashtanov has collected one of the most paper belts in the sport, and even then it took him two tries.
For people who just go through Kashtanov's record they will notive that he won his last fight, against Server Yemurlayev, for the title via a split decision. Whilst Kashtanov didn't shut out Yemurlayev by any means he was a clearer winner than the cards would show, in fact only the card of Chalerm Prayadsab actually reflected the nature of the bout.
The Ukrainian is well schooled. He does haven't the power to really keep good fighters off him, or the skills or speed to out box opponents but what he does have is the solid fundamentals with which to forge a decent career. He's never going to be a superstar but he's the type of guy who is well schooled enough to only really be beaten by the genuine top 10-15 style of fighters.
Challenging Kashtanov is the very limited and yet very lucky Costa Rican challenger Jaime Barboza (18-7, 8).
If Kashtanov misses out on my top 10, Barboza misses out on, probably being in my top 100.
The 35 year old Barboza is a fighter who has lost 4 of his last 6 and who's only win of note is erm, er, Jose Pinzon, who you know is so notable!
Okay I lied, Barboza doesn't have any wins of note. He's been a Costa Rican national champion and held various C level titles such as the WBA Fedelatin Super Middleweight title but he's never looked capable at the B grade and in his previous "interim" world title fight he was widely beaten, at home, by Brian Magee.
Although Barboza has proven to be tough with just a sole stoppage loss, coming in a rematch to Pinzon, he is very limited and it's hard to imagine him doing too much to really trouble Kashtanov here who should have the ability and know how to take a very clear decision.
Prediction-Kashtanov UD 12
The defending champion, Ukrainian fighter Stanyslav Kashtanov (30-1, 16), may very well be the most obscure champion active champion, even in the current world of "interim" champions. It's fair to say that he wouldn't make it into my top 20 at Super Middleweight though the intelligence of the WBA has seen him ending up with a world title.
Although obscure Kashtanov is a decent enough fighter. In a by gone era of champions defending on a regular basis he'd be a fringe contender who would likely have gotten a chance somewhere down the line to fight the champion, and lose to him. Instead Kashtanov has collected one of the most paper belts in the sport, and even then it took him two tries.
For people who just go through Kashtanov's record they will notive that he won his last fight, against Server Yemurlayev, for the title via a split decision. Whilst Kashtanov didn't shut out Yemurlayev by any means he was a clearer winner than the cards would show, in fact only the card of Chalerm Prayadsab actually reflected the nature of the bout.
The Ukrainian is well schooled. He does haven't the power to really keep good fighters off him, or the skills or speed to out box opponents but what he does have is the solid fundamentals with which to forge a decent career. He's never going to be a superstar but he's the type of guy who is well schooled enough to only really be beaten by the genuine top 10-15 style of fighters.
Challenging Kashtanov is the very limited and yet very lucky Costa Rican challenger Jaime Barboza (18-7, 8).
If Kashtanov misses out on my top 10, Barboza misses out on, probably being in my top 100.
The 35 year old Barboza is a fighter who has lost 4 of his last 6 and who's only win of note is erm, er, Jose Pinzon, who you know is so notable!
Okay I lied, Barboza doesn't have any wins of note. He's been a Costa Rican national champion and held various C level titles such as the WBA Fedelatin Super Middleweight title but he's never looked capable at the B grade and in his previous "interim" world title fight he was widely beaten, at home, by Brian Magee.
Although Barboza has proven to be tough with just a sole stoppage loss, coming in a rematch to Pinzon, he is very limited and it's hard to imagine him doing too much to really trouble Kashtanov here who should have the ability and know how to take a very clear decision.
Prediction-Kashtanov UD 12
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