Povetkin Comes out best

Alex Povetkin not only stopped American Chris Byrd inside 11 rounds of an IBF eliminator in Erfurt, Germany on Saturday (Oct 27) but almost certainly ended the 37 year-old’s career in the top flight.

Povetkin, the 2004, Olympic Gold medalist, produced a strong performance against an experienced opponent in an exciting fight. Povetkin’s accurate combination punching did most of the damage and forced the American’s corner to eventually throw the towel in after 1.52 of the 11th round.

The 28 year-old Povetkin made a cautious start but soon upped the pace from the second round onwards, working away at Byrd’s body. Byrd responded by firing in fast combinations. Povetkin was cut in the third round from a accidental clash of heads but it did not effect him too much and he continued to compete at a high work rate.

Byrd fought back in the fourth session connecting with a well timed right hand to the head. In the sixth round Povetkin trapped Byrd in the corner and with a series of ferocious combinations.

Byrd, though, game as ever-returned fire to finish the round strongly. Povetkin continued to rain in several big combinations in the seventh and eighth rounds to slowly break down the former WBO and IBF heavyweight titleholder. The pattern continued through to the 11th when Byrd’s corner finally rescued their brave but out-gunned charge.

Povetkin.14-0-(11), will now face either Eddie Chambers or Calvin Brock in a final eliminator for Wladimir Klitschko’s IBF heavyweight crown. Byrd falls to 40-4-(21).

Speaking about Povetkin after the fight Byrd said: "You have to give him credit. He is a very strong fighter and on his way to the title. He will go a long way from here."

Prediction is not a easy job to do, it has the capacity to make you or floor you. Yet I stock out my head last week to give Alex Povetkins an edge over Chris Byrd who by estimation is gone past his prime. I also wish to say that, it was for deep rooted respect for Byrd that worked against Alex. Who would have given Byrd more vicious beating that would have made him consider other job than boxing.
I wish Alex all the best as he begins to climb his way to the top.

Some parts of this article was culled from www.secondsout.com