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byrd: klitschko....bet on wlad.....nervously!
www.eastsideboxing.com
14.04.06 - By Dan Mocci: Five-and-a-half years after their first encounter, Chris Byrd and Wladimir Klitschko are set to do it again. The first bout, which took place on October 14, 2000 at the Kölnarena in Köln, Germany, proved to be an absolute mismatch. Then WBO Heavyweight Champion Byrd, fresh off a title victory over the senior Klitschko brother, entered hostile territory and promptly lost every single round on every single scorecard. The only impressive part of Byrd’s showing was the trademark toughness he displayed in rising from 9th and 11th round knockdowns en route to unanimous decision loss. For the record—if it matters—the scores were 120-106, 119-107, and 118-108.
That night, it was Byrd that walked away having lost his last 21 rounds (big brother Vitali was shutting Byrd out when he quit after the 9th with an injured heart…or, shoulder). Following the fight, the story was to play out that Byrd would remain a fringe contender—a tricky opponent for up-and-comers and top-ten guys. It was Wladimir Klitschko that walked out of the ring as the heir apparent to the quickly looming post-Lennox Lewis era. In fact, if the story played out correct, the 24-year-old “Steelhammer” would have ushered in the post-Lewis era the hard way by knocking Lewis into retirement.
Of course, this is boxing. This is the Heavyweight division. The story didn’t play out correctly...and that is what makes this rematch of a mismatch somewhat intriguing.
The defensive minded Byrd will once again enter hostile German terrain as the defending champion, having gone 8-0-1 in bouts that have ranged from completely boring to somewhat exciting—if only because he has become hittable for his opponents now that he has entered the twilight of his successful career. Since the loss to Klitschko, Byrd has emerged as the one post-Lewis constant amongst the upper echelon in the heavyweight rankings. Byrd was masterful in bouts with David Tua and Evander Holyfield. He barely escaped in competitive battles with Andrew Golota and Jameel McCline. He was downright boring and dreadful in defeating Davarryl Williamson. All told, he has been the only championship level fighter to remain unbeaten atop the division since Lewis abdicated the heavyweight throne.
Meanwhile, the former heir apparent has faced a rockier road. Since dominating Byrd, Wladimir Klitschko has had his career built, rebuilt, built, and rebuilt again. His career has become a spitting image of one of those 80’s rock bands featured in a VH1 Behind the Music special. It has been the tale of a young star with utilized all the tools to become the hottest thing on the scene, only to hit rock bottom professionally (see Corrie Sanders/Lamon Brewster disasters), and then embark on the comeback road. Toss in the story’s intriguing subplot: The fact that younger brother had to watch his, seemingly, less talented sibling earn the very accolades that were practically guaranteed Wladimir. The Klitschko career has been an epic saga.
After all the twists and turns in his career, Klitschko is still only 29 years old. He is younger then any of the current champions and top American contender Calvin Brock. There are not two heavyweights that have a better jab or better power in both hands than the “Steelhammer”. Though most of Samuel Peter’s blows were telegraphed (thus, easier to absorb), Klitschko answered questions about his shaky chin in out pointing the Nigerian bomber last year. His trainers have blamed conditioning, amongst other conspiracy theories, for the knockout upsets to Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster. The truth and cause of these losses probably lay in a combination of factors that includes an average chin, average stamina, and a slight lack of confidence.
Only in boxing can the numbers 120-106, 119-107, and 118-108 be parlayed into a rematch. The fact that these two will fight again is not odd or unexpected, after all this is boxing and money talks. Watch the tape of Byrd-Klitschko I and the result of II is a forgone conclusion—you wouldn’t want to waste you’re time on April 22 watching this mismatch. Watch the footage of everything that has transpired in the careers of both these men since the first bout and the rematch goes from a mismatch to an intriguing story with more plots, angles, and questions than a fan can demand.
Byrd has become hittable in recent fights, but managed to stand in front of and outpoint sluggers Andrew Golota and Jameel McCline. Is he too far on the downside to escape the clutches of one more oversized power puncher? On the contrary, Klitschko overcame the daunting challenge and severe chin-checking ability of Sam Peter. Still, questions remain as to how well his fragile psyche will hold up—especially if a fighter who he handled so easily in the past refuses to wilt from Klitschko’s pressure and power.
To predict an outcome is hard. On one hand, Klitschko is fighting in Germany against a fighter that his has beaten. He is also fighting an opponent who cannot test his chin. On the flip side, Byrd’s recent lack of elusiveness may have given him the confidence that comes from the realization that he has been successful when entering the lion’s den against power punchers. It’s for these reasons, and because of all the sub-plots, that the aging Byrd will most likely enter this fight (on the road) as only a 3-1 underdog against a younger and stronger opponent who has already battered him.
Conventional wisdom indicates that Byrd will probably stand still for a bit too long and get caught, as he gets closer and closer to being hurt each time out. A couple of knockdowns later, Klitschko should cruise to another lopsided points victory—or late kayo. However, the answer to the proverbial “Who will win?” question lies in the performance of a fighter whose career has not followed the course of conventional wisdom and has infrequently failed to do what he should have on the biggest of stages.
Simply put, bet on Klitschko…nervously.
Prediction…it WON’T be 120-106, 119-107, and 118-108. Other than that, who knows?
Maybe, Byrd runs circles around Klitschko. Maybe, Klitschko demonstrates the prowess and greatness he has flashed in doses throughout his checkered career. Maybe—hopefully—we will get a taste of the considerable skills that both fighters’ have demonstrated at the peak moments of their careers. No matter what, we are left with a rare occurrence: the possibility of following the entertaining Lamon Brewster-Sergei Liakovich scrap with another interesting heavyweight fight.
Two good heavyweight fights in a row. Wouldn’t that be nice?
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Originally Posted by miles
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