Wladimir Klitschko vs Ruslan Chagaev

[El Kabong]

How will this fight go? Who will win? And what does this fight mean? We also need to consider what happens next if Wlad wins or if Ruslan wins?

[El Kabong]

I think Wladimir will be able to KO Ruslan because this will be Ruslan's first fight with a big puncher and he still has question marks about his chin especially since such a long layoff vs the top level fighters in the division.

After this fight Wladimir will more than likely fight in September vs Alexander Povetkin and then later on vs the winner of Dimitrenko-Chambers (I think this fight will mirror Wlad-Byrd I or II with Dimitrenko totally schooling Fast Eddie).

I know this fight is "disappointing" to the British posters on this board, but this fight means more to the division than any fight David Haye could have, this fight can finally bring about a Valuev-Klitschko matchup and bring the division together...having fighters like John Ruiz FORCED to fight the creme de la creme of the division and thus ensuring their demise. If Wladimir is the winner (especially by KO) this could bring about a great purging of the pretenders in this division because Don King fighters will have to find other routes to title shots rather than ONLY following the WBA ladder to that "title".

[El Kabong]

Although I do rate Ruslan as a very good fighter, I think he doesn't have great 1 punch power, he's smallish, and although he's a southpaw, Wlad has fought Tony Thompson and Sultan Ibragimov and should be well prepared to fight him after trying to prepare for the speed and power of David Haye.

[JazMerkin]

Thought I'd come in here & keep you company Lyle

I think Wlad takes this by a close decision, but I feel it will sadly be a painful fight to watch. I think Haye had Wlad in a position where we would have got a great fight, although I can't deny this fight being good for the division statistically & will give us a lineal champ so I will be watching. I think the jab is the key & see it 115-113 or 116-112 for Wlad.

Hopefully Haye gets a fight with somebody soon & Arreolla realizes he has to get into something approaching shape because this division needs some excitement, and for all their technical merits the Klitschkos just don't provide it.

[El Kabong]

Close decision? How will Chagaev do that? I am interested because Chagaev has good workrate but he's easy to hit, his punches are wide too....easy to pick off with the 1-2. The size difference is ridiculous Chagaev is 6'1 228...that's a small heavyweight even compared to David Haye.

David Haye should take on a fighter who is either as big as Wladimir, punch as hard as Wladimir, or have a similar style as Wladimir, or just a top level heavyweight. If Haye KO'd Sam Peter it would be good for him, I would respect it, it wouldn't be the greatest thing ever but it would be a good solid fight.

[OumaFan]

Going to boycott this one, has horribly dull written all over it. What a letdown after the Haye fight. If its good I'll catch it later. Don't see Ruslan winning, he may well pull out.

[El Kabong]

Going to boycott this one, has horribly dull written all over it. What a letdown after the Haye fight. If its good I'll catch it later. Don't see Ruslan winning, he may well pull out.

Don't even know you'll have the option to watch it as it won't be on HBO

It might be boring BUT it's a meaningful fight, and it keeps Wlad busy and he needs to fight and defend the titles it's his job...it would be nice if we had a very exciting fight but hell even I think it will be reminiscent of the Sultan Ibragimov fight, but we might be in for a surprisingly good fight if Chagaev just comes forward, that's all he has to do, come forward, let his hands go, and get KO'd

[JazMerkin]

Close decision? How will Chagaev do that? I am interested because Chagaev has good workrate but he's easy to hit, his punches are wide too....easy to pick off with the 1-2. The size difference is ridiculous Chagaev is 6'1 228...that's a small heavyweight even compared to David Haye.

David Haye should take on a fighter who is either as big as Wladimir, punch as hard as Wladimir, or have a similar style as Wladimir, or just a top level heavyweight. If Haye KO'd Sam Peter it would be good for him, I would respect it, it wouldn't be the greatest thing ever but it would be a good solid fight.

I think Chagaev's workrate will get him 4 or 5 rounds in the judges eyes at least, but can't see him getting the kind of close decision where anyone could say he was robbed. I wouldn't mind seeing Haye-Dimitrenko, although personally I don't think the HW division is strong enough right now that he should fight his way up. He did actually plan another fight post-Barrett before going for the title, but the bros Klitschko wanted to get on with it.

I think the reason Chagaev won't get knocked out is because of the speed. I think he will see the punches coming enough to ready himself for them, whereas I think if he fought Haye he would find it harder because of the speed, although Wlad undoubtedly hits harder

[El Kabong]

I don't think Chagaev is that fast...he's fought 4 times in as many years and I think he's less powerful and speedy and slick than Sultan Ibragimov...so I think Wladimir can really work him over, PLUS Wlad is angry for a number of reasons, I hope he tries to send a message

[El Kabong]

Ruslan isn't all that bad he's beaten John Ruiz, Nicolay Valuev, but perhaps the most impressive name on his resume is FELIX SAVON

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPAeP1JsfPw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O7lqgd3vB8


....he did eat a couple big right hands though

[JazMerkin]

I don't think Chagaev is that fast...he's fought 4 times in as many years and I think he's less powerful and speedy and slick than Sultan Ibragimov...so I think Wladimir can really work him over, PLUS Wlad is angry for a number of reasons, I hope he tries to send a message

No, I don't think Chagaev's that fast, I just think he's the kind of guy who's more likely to get caught badly by speed rather than power, in that he's pretty technically astute & guys like that normally find speed harder to deal with, hence why I'd favour Haye to KO Chagaev rather than Wlad, even though Wlad is the bigger puncher

[El Kabong]

OK....I can accept that. I just watched a couple rounds of Valuev-Chagaev (and I survived ) ...he kept moving backwards, that's not good if we want an exciting fight, that's what Sultan did vs Wladimir....wait to counter, wait to counter, wait to counter and Wlad never gave him the option.

I just want Wlad to worry about Wlad and not worry about Chagaev countering....Wlad needs to focus on getting his punches to land and breaking Chagaev down

[The Fightfan]

This will be a boring fight I think. With Chageav running around and trying to find a way in on Wlad's long jab and right hand. Ultimately making a boring fight.

[El Kabong]

This will be a boring fight I think. With Chageav running around and trying to find a way in on Wlad's long jab and right hand. Ultimately making a boring fight.

It's sad, but I can totally see that happening...I can see Chagaev mimicking Sultan Ibragimov....but part of me doesn't see Wladimir allowing that to happen again. Say what you will about Wlad and Wlad's style, but ultimately he does want to give the fans a KO every time out there and a good show.

It would be nice to have Chagaev come to fight though...hopefully he'll oblige because he has been given a golden opportunity to be THE MAN in the division.

It's a tough fight to call, but everyone's first thought is going to be "boring"

[Kirkland Laing]

Say what you will about Wlad and Wlad's style, but ultimately he does want to give the fans a KO every time out there and a good show.

Like the Ibragimov fight, right? Or any other fight since he got sparked by a pro-celebrity golfer and realised his jaw is made out of the finest crystal.

It must be true what they say about love blinding you to the deficiencies of others.