Povetkin Batters Byrd
By Julian Kasdin (Oct 29, 2007) Doghouse Boxing        
In what was supposed to be the toughest fight of his young career, Alexander “Battleship” Povetkin, 14-0 (11), fought and dominated Chris “Rapid Fire” Byrd, 40-4-1 (21), en route to an eleventh-round TKO of the tough two-time champion. Before the fight, many figured that Byrd would provide a stern test for the young Povetkin, with some even picking him to win. However, it quickly became apparent that Byrd was in deep water early on as the division’s long-time sloop was no match for its newest dreadnaught.

The fight began with both men feeling each other out, but quickly saw Povetkin begin to close the distance and work the body. From the end of the first round to the beginning of the fifth, Povetkin stepped up the pace, throwing three punches for every one thrown by Byrd and consistently out-maneuvering, counterpunching and out-slugging the experienced but out-gunned former champ.

Round five saw Povetkin step off the gas, perhaps taking a breather from the blistering pace set in rounds three and four. However, this rest was merely a lull from the barrage that was to follow. From round six on, Povetkin found Byrd increasingly easier to hit as his work to the body made the normally elusive southpaw ever more stationary. It did not help Chris that Sasha worked as effectively downstairs as he did upstairs, and that the young contender was consistently able to time and counter his slower opponent.

From round eight on, Povetkin set a blistering pace, stunning Byrd several times in the ninth and tenth rounds. Entering round eleven, it was clear that Chris was no longer mobile, and having been stung multiple times during the fight, clearly felt Povetkin’s underrated power. As the round wore on, Sasha began to really sit on his punches, firing hard shots to Byrd’s head and body, forcing his corner to throw in the towel and giving Alexander his fourteenth and biggest win to date.

With the win, Povetkin moves one step closer to a fight with Wladimir Klitschko, while Byrd, now one and two in his last three, must seriously consider ending his distinguished fistic career. Both men came in shape, both showed considerable skill, and both gave it their all in an entertaining, action-filled affair. Chris should be congratulated for giving his best in every fight and for not giving up even when he was down by ten rounds in a brutal affair. Povetkin, on the other hand, should be applauded for fighting such tough opposition early on, and we can only hope that his history of success continues into the future.


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