Battleship Povetkin
 By Julian Kasdin (Oct 25, 2007) DoghouseBoxing
This Saturday in Erfurt, Germany, Alexander “Battleship” Povetkin, 13-0 (10), takes on Chris “Rapid Fire” Byrd, 40-3-1 (21), in the first match of the IBF-mandated elimination tournament. This is an amazing crossroads battle that pits the undefeated Povetkin, who many see as the leading prospect in the division, against the experienced and skilled former champion Byrd in a fight that will help determine the future of the heavyweight division.
Byrd might be seen as part of the division’s past. After all, he was a staple of mid-to-late 90’s and early 00’s boxing,
but with his skill and durability he is still relevant. Never count out a man with wins over David Tua, Vitali Klitschko, Evander Holyfield, Fres Oquendo, and Jameel McCline. One must also remember he has held his own against Andrew Golota, was doing well versus Ike Ibeabuchi before being stopped, and has been in with the consensus-best in Wladimir Klitschko twice. He and John Ruiz might have the best resumes in the division as far as level of opposition. With a resume like that, a long and decorated amateur career, and the need to develop a defensive style, Chris Byrd is one of the craftiest, most skilled, and vexing heavyweights of the last twenty years.
Against Povetkin he faces another hard-charging foe, not unlike Ike Ibeabuchi, who combines fast hands and stamina with a powerful punch and a complete offensive arsenal. Against Ike, he was holding his own until a monstrous left hook put him on queer street. Will Povetkin end Byrd’s night in similar fashion, or will Chris pull out another Tua-like win?
Povetkin is a different animal from Tua or Ike. He has the most decorated amateur resume in super heavyweight history. He also has a kickboxing background, and has shown more in the way of defense and skill than either of the
aforementioned power punchers. He has already fought someone like Byrd in Larry Donald, who he shut out over ten, and seems the consensus favorite heading into Saturday’s fight.
Byrd, who has good legs and upper body movement as well as the ability to counter, needs to utilize the entire ring and stay off the ropes. He probably will not be able to drive Povetkin back, so he will need to keep his man constantly moving while he circles. It is actually important that Chris get off first and move instead of waiting to counter, as Alexander simply throws too many punches at any one time to counter effectively.
Povetkin knows what he needs to do. He has fought a tricky defensive boxer before in Larry Donald, and aside from the southpaw stance, there is not a huge difference between the two. Povetkin, who has hands that are probably as fast as Byrd’s but pack a much bigger punch, has to work the body early on. As Chris tries to move, Sasha should use his excellent footwork to cut off the ring, and work angles coming in on the quick-fisted Chris. Whenever Byrd throws a punch, as he usually only throws one or two at a time, Povetkin should look to time those shots and come back with quick and accurate counters, especially a straight right response to Byrd’s left.
How will this fight go? No offense to Chris, as I think he is a great fighter who is unfairly underappreciated, but the only outcome I see is a win for Povetkin. Alexander is every bit as fast as Byrd. He is also as fluid going forward, if not more so, than Chris is going backward. It does not help Byrd that Povetkin probably has the most complete arsenal of anyone he has faced since Ike. In every fight, Sasha utilizes every punch on his deck as he fires away flawlessly from the body to the head. Povetkin, who has worked on improving his power and strength as of late, will come out as he usually does. He will set up shots with his jab and begin to blast away at Byrd’s hull, knowing full well that his best bet is to take away the former champ’s legs early. As the fight progresses and Byrd begins to slow down, expect Povetkin to begin to fire an increasing number of volleys toward his bridge. By the middle of the fight, Chris should become an ever easier target, and it is here that “Battleship” Povetkin will let loose his final broadside, sinking Byrd and moving one step closer to a match with the current Bismarck of the division, Wladimir Klitschko.
Questions or comments,
e-mail  Julian at: Alcaldemb@aol.com
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