Povetkin, Byrd, Brock, Chambers to fight in a tournament for a shot at Klitschko?

[doublesuited]

"The IBF is trying to put together a four-man elimination tournament in the heavyweight division, but the boxers and their promoters are jostling for position as to who will be matched up with whom. Today, Sauerland Event announced that 2004 Olympic champion Alexander Povetkin will participate in the as-yet unannounced box-off. Povetkin, 13-0, looks to be in the mix with Calvin Brock, former champion Chris Byrd and Eddie Chambers in the competition. According to Sauerland, Povetkin will fight Byrd, while Brock faces Chambers. The two winners will then fight for the right to challenge IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko. Boxing fans, take note, this tournament could allow Klitschko the breathing room to attempt unification while the tournament plays out. "This is great news," Povetkin´s co-manager Kalle Sauerland stated. "This is the chance Alexander has been waiting for. We have no doubts he will prevail in this interesting tournament." No dates have been confirmed yet, but Sauerland stated he will try "everything possible" to bring the fight to Germany."

[a.arthur.h]

:blood Povetkin will have only 15 fights if he wins the tournament..15 fights and now a mandatory title challenger? It is way too early for him. This reminds me of Vargas being thrown in against Trinidad...

Why not put in Chris Arreola, at least he has over 20 professional fights..he may not be on the same level as Povetkin might be but he at least has a bit more pro experience. And when you're fighting a guy who has 52 professional fights, in the peak of his career..you're gonna need all the experience you can get.

Not to mention the fact that Brock is in this..after getting his ass thoroughly kicked by Wladimir the first time, he suddenly ******ts entry into a title eliminator tournament? Why not put a Tua, Valuev, or Virchis in..at least they haven't been whipped by Wlad before.

[geppy]

:blood Povetkin will have only 15 fights if he wins the tournament..15 fights and now a mandatory title challenger? It is way too early for him. This reminds me of Vargas being thrown in against Trinidad...

Why not put in Chris Arreola, at least he has over 20 professional fights..he may not be on the same level as Povetkin might be but he at least has a bit more pro experience. And when you're fighting a guy who has 52 professional fights, in the peak of his career..you're gonna need all the experience you can get.

Yeah, but Arreola hasnt fought anyone with a pulse yet. Tann was easily destroyed by Dimitrenko. You can watch Kevin Johnson outclass Damien Willis on an upcoming FNF's.

[Odo]

:blood Povetkin will have only 15 fights if he wins the tournament..15 fights and now a mandatory title challenger? It is way too early for him. This reminds me of Vargas being thrown in against Trinidad...

Why not put in Chris Arreola, at least he has over 20 professional fights..he may not be on the same level as Povetkin might be but he at least has a bit more pro experience. And when you're fighting a guy who has 52 professional fights, in the peak of his career..you're gonna need all the experience you can get.

Povetkin is no Fernando Vargas,arthur!

Povetkin was one of the most dominating heavy weights at the amateurs of all times.An amateur superstar who was the undisputed king at his weight class.
He seems to be on the fast track to win a world title,and he for sure has a chance against Wlad.
However, I somehow tend to agree with you inasmuch as he needs a handful of fights more in order to gain pro experience.
Arreola? You are joking,arent you? Povetkin plays in a different dimension!
Have a look at his fight record,mate! Yep! He has more pro fights than Povetkin,but this doesnt mean that much.Povetkin has faced and beaten decent opponents in almost all his pro fights.The same cant be said about Arreola!
Besides Arreola was a nobody at the amateurs!
To be beat bums and no-hopers at the pros isnt worth a fig IMO.
Povetkin has beaten dozens of known names at the amateurs.Most of them were much better fighters than the journeymen Arreola beat at the pros.

[Irish Steel]

Can povetkin even win a round against wlad?

[Stinky gloves]

It think that both winners from the first part of the tournament get the title shots, the absolute winner at Wlad, the No2 at winner of Chagaev/Ibragimov

[Scar]

Povetkin?!, are those guys crazy?
Why hand him his first loss so early?, I think he needs more fights before stepping up like that.

[brooklyn1550]

Povetkin will have only 15 fights if he wins the tournament..15 fights and now a mandatory title challenger? It is way too early for him. This reminds me of Vargas being thrown in against Trinidad...


If he does get a shot at Wladimir, it will definitely remind me of Vargas-Trinidad

[a.arthur.h]

Povetkin is no Fernando Vargas,arthur!

Povetkin was one of the most dominating heavy weights at the amateurs of all times.An amateur superstar who was the undisputed king at his weight class.
He seems to be on the fast track to win a world title,and he for sure has a chance against Wlad.
However, I somehow tend to agree with you inasmuch as he needs a handful of fights more in order to gain pro experience.
Arreola? You are joking,arent you? Povetkin plays in a different dimension!
Have a look at his fight record,mate! Yep! He has more pro fights than Povetkin,but this doesnt mean that much.Povetkin has faced and beaten decent opponents in almost all his pro fights.The same cant be said about Arreola!
Besides Arreola was a nobody at the amateurs!
To be beat bums and no-hopers at the pros isnt worth a fig IMO.
Povetkin has beaten dozens of known names at the amateurs.Most of them were much better fighters than the journeymen Arreola beat at the pros.

I guess I'm just thinking that 15 fights is way too soon to go against a guy like Wlad..I don't care who the opposition was against. And I would much rather see Arreola get his head knocked off by Wlad then Alexander before he can even get his exposure in his pro career.

[Matthew W]

Povetkin is no Fernando Vargas,arthur!

Povetkin was one of the most dominating heavy weights at the amateurs of all times.An amateur superstar who was the undisputed king at his weight class.
He seems to be on the fast track to win a world title,and he for sure has a chance against Wlad.
However, I somehow tend to agree with you inasmuch as he needs a handful of fights more in order to gain pro experience.
Arreola? You are joking,arent you? Povetkin plays in a different dimension!
Have a look at his fight record,mate! Yep! He has more pro fights than Povetkin,but this doesnt mean that much.Povetkin has faced and beaten decent opponents in almost all his pro fights.The same cant be said about Arreola!
Besides Arreola was a nobody at the amateurs!
To be beat bums and no-hopers at the pros isnt worth a fig IMO.
Povetkin has beaten dozens of known names at the amateurs.Most of them were much better fighters than the journeymen Arreola beat at the pros.

Povetkin is a great prospect, and had a great amateur career, but he is not superman, to expect him to beat Wlad, the current no 1 heavyweight, in only his 16th fight is madness. He has beaten some good fighters so far, but he needs more experience, he should be fighting some fringe world class guys for the next five fights at least, and then look for a fight with Maskaev or someone like that. Wlad is the ultimate test for him, why rush in? If he got KO'ed, which is possible, it would set him back a long way.

[Shpion]

... If he got KO'ed, which is possible, it would set him back a long way.


It obviously did not set neither Byrd nor Brock a long way.:think

[Dostoevsky]

Lets not forget that Wladimirs amateur pedigree is just as rich and impressive as Povetkins.
Also that professional fighting is quite different than the amateurs,

[huki]

Povetkin is a great prospect, and had a great amateur career, but he is not superman, to expect him to beat Wlad, the current no 1 heavyweight, in only his 16th fight is madness. He has beaten some good fighters so far, but he needs more experience, he should be fighting some fringe world class guys for the next five fights at least, and then look for a fight with Maskaev or someone like that. Wlad is the ultimate test for him, why rush in? If he got KO'ed, which is possible, it would set him back a long way. Wlad ain't superman either. He's Clark Kent at best. Povetkin is a nightmare for him in every way, even at this early stage of his career. Read my post in the other tournament thread where I explained it more.

Lets not forget that Wladimirs amateur pedigree is just as rich and impressive as Povetkins.
Also that professional fighting is quite different than the amateurs,
He won a gold medal. Other than that, his amateur career is not even close to as rich.

[Dostoevsky]

Gold medal in olympics is as high as you can go in amateur.
It is the top of the crown, the best of the best.

That is good enough.

[nervousxtian]

Actually, I think this positions some really interesting fights, I just really don't like the fact it's an eliminators for Wlads title... I mean Wlad has already destroyed two of the guys in the tourney, and nobody wants to see a rematch of those fights.

I wish this was for a chance at Ibragimov or Chageav.

Wlad needs to fight other champs now, a rematch against Brock or Byrd, or a fight with Povetkin or Chambers does nothing for him at this point.. and the only guy who stands ANY chance in that fight is Povetkin, but I haven't seen enough of him to know if he "actually" stands a chance.

I'd give any of the 4 a 50-50 shot at Chageav or Ibragimov though.

[huki]

Gold medal in olympics is as high as you can go in amateur.
It is the top of the crown, the best of the best.

That is good enough.
So with your logic Audley Harrison is as accomplished as Povetkin amateur career-wise also?

[MrSmall]

Face Brock, then Chambers, then Wlad, will have him most prepared.

[cross_trainer]

If Povetkin's team think he's ready, it's likely they know more about the matter than we do...and if he is capable of winning a tournament including Brock, Byrd, and Chambers, that should assuage most doubts about his suitability.

[DoumB]

OK, I think its clear that some in here are WAY overrating Alexander, yeah he has mad skills and hes a great prospect, put him in there with Wlad and his career will be over. Wlad is the top dog and he aint on anyones level right now, povetkin can beat brock and byrd to gain good exp, but he needs to take on others champ b4 thinking against Klit, I'm not even sure he can beat Byrd, he need a lot more experience b4 stepping in with Wlad,


Amateurs is NOTHING compared to pro, some of u seem to forget that

[huki]

OK, I think its clear that some in here are WAY overrating Alexander, yeah he has mad skills and hes a great prospect, put him in there with Wlad and his career will be over. Wlad is the top dog and he aint on anyones level right now, povetkin can beat brock and byrd to gain good exp, but he needs to take on others champ b4 thinking against Klit, I'm not even sure he can beat Byrd, he need a lot more experience b4 stepping in with Wlad,


Amateurs is NOTHING compared to pro, some of u seem to forget that
Wlad is the one being overrated here. People are making him out to be an unstoppable master of boxing who nobody can compete with. Povetkin is being underrated, because almost nobody thinks he could beat Wlad. In reality, the only one who is in danger of damaging their careers greatly is Klitschko. Getting brutally knocked out for the 4th time without any excuses to give could make him retire.

[DoumB]

Wlad is the one being overrated here. People are making him out to be an unstoppable master of boxing who nobody can compete with. Povetkin is being underrated, because almost nobody thinks he could beat Wlad. In reality, the only one who is in danger of damaging their careers greatly is Klitschko. Getting brutally knocked out for the 4th time without any excuses to give could make him retire.

povetkin while being a good puncher is not a HUGE puncher, and klit as faced greater puncher and didnt get knocked out lately, I agree with u that Klit as a lot more to loose in a fight like that ur right, but the thing is that its almost impossible for him to loose to alexander right now,

dont get me wrong I think Povetkin is a future champ, but I think he is no where near ready to take on Klitshcko.
While u may think I overrate Klit, u cant deny that right now in this division hes more then likely head and shoulders above everyone

[Asterion]

The guys of Fight news are talking as if this tournament is already official. Looks like it is. :happy :happy

The HW division has become interesting.

WBC....Peter vs. Maskaev, then against Vitali
WBO....Unification, then Thompson is mandatory
IBF.....Four-men tournament (Sasha, Byrd, Brock, Chambers)
WBA....Unification

[a.arthur.h]

It seems to be a big risk for Povetkin. What happens if Byrd decisions him? How far back will that set him? Or if Chambers beats him? Barring any sort of robbery on scorecards he will most likely be tossed into the failed prospect category by quite a few people. Not saying I agree with people who do that..but it does happen.

Also the fact that he hasn't got much exposure in the heavyweight boxing world as of yet. This may be the first time many people get to see him. I'd much rather see him build himself up in the professional ranks instead of relying on his amateur accomplishments, great as they may be.

I see no reason for him not to be in the ring with guys like Byrd, or Brock. I'd love to see him climb the ladder and put some fear into the champions, get people interested in him. He can be marketed so well it will just be a shame if he gets in over his head or tries to rush things.

[huki]

povetkin while being a good puncher is not a HUGE puncher, and klit as faced greater puncher and didnt get knocked out lately, I agree with u that Klit as a lot more to loose in a fight like that ur right, but the thing is that its almost impossible for him to loose to alexander right now,

dont get me wrong I think Povetkin is a future champ, but I think he is no where near ready to take on Klitshcko.
While u may think I overrate Klit, u cant deny that right now in this division hes more then likely head and shoulders above everyone
You don't need to have George Foreman's power to hurt Wlad. You probably don't even need to have Yuri Foreman's power. Almost impossible for Wlad to lose? :lol: :lol: :lol: That's not overrating Wlad? Like I pointed out in the other thread, since losing to Brewster, the only real threat he faced was the green Sam Peter and he almost got knocked out by him. Sam Peter can't even be compared to Povetkin in the skills department or abilities department. He's just a wild fighter with good power and an iron chin. You will see. I'm glad so many people are doubting Povetkin because it will only make his odds of winning on sportsbooks lower and his victory look even more impressive.

[DoumB]

It seems to be a big risk for Povetkin. What happens if Byrd decisions him? How far back will that set him? Or if Chambers beats him? Barring any sort of robbery on scorecards he will most likely be tossed into the failed prospect category by quite a few people. Not saying I agree with people who do that..but it does happen.

Also the fact that he hasn't got much exposure in the heavyweight boxing world as of yet. This may be the first time many people get to see him. I'd much rather see him build himself up in the professional ranks instead of relying on his amateur accomplishments, great as they may be.

I see no reason for him not to be in the ring with guys like Byrd, or Brock. I'd love to see him climb the ladder and put some fear into the champions, get people interested in him. He can be marketed so well it will just be a shame if he gets in over his head or tries to rush things.

Nice avatar, Pascal is killing

[Sputnik44]

Ok first of all Wlad is not invincible, however he has recently minimized any opening that an opponent my be able to exploit and win. I don't care how good you are how many heavy's in history have fought the #1 HW in the world after 15 fights without beating a top 10 guy

look Povetkin needs to beat Byrd and the winner of Brock v Chambers and then he would in my mind be eligible to fight one of the lesser champs

but honestly if he beats 2 guys who wlad destroyed what about that makes him earn a shot at the title...

The whole argument that if his team thinks he's ready then he must be ready is beyond stupid...I've seen alot of young fighters get thrust into the spotlight too early and end up flat on their back

[cross_trainer]

Amateurs is NOTHING compared to pro, some of u seem to forget that

They're not THAT different, though. The fact that both sports involve almost identical punching and blocking skills, for instance. Amateur success is a good indicator for professional success. Almost every Olympic gold medalist got much further in boxing than literally 99% of fighters.

[Sputnik44]

Hypotheticaly if he does get his shot at wlad and get's laid out how hurtful will that be to his career?

hell look at Wlad himself in 2003 he loses brutaly to Sanders and fights crappy competion in Moli and Nicholson to try and get his confidence back before he fights brewster which he again loses (possibly due to the mental aspect of the thumping he recieved from sanders) then he takes 2 more crap fights and only regains his composure after a brawl with Same peter which very easily could have gone the other way


If he isn't ready the comeback trail after a loss is a difficult one and can be very illusive...I'm not saying protect him and make him fight bums but he needs more than 15 fights before he gets to Wlad

Povetkin 15-0 gets Ko'd in the 7th by Wlad
Povetkin 23-0 = much better chance

[a.arthur.h]

I really can't see anyone giving Wlad much trouble from this tournament. I think that given time, Povetkin could take over the division, but as for taking it over right now, I'm seriously doubtful.

As for Byrd and Brock, we've seen what happened to both, and Byrd has just gotten older.

And as for Chambers, to me he is a blown up Cruiser, each fight I've seen him in he has been sporting a soft midsection. The weight he puts on to compete at Heavyweight does not sit well on him at all. But I do think he deserves to be in this tournament. His record is getting a little bloated, he needs to step up now if he wants to make a run for a title, and this is definately a good step in that direction.

Nice avatar, Pascal is killing

:good I've been to four of his fights so far, entertaining guy.

[DoumB]

They're not THAT different, though. The fact that both sports involve almost identical punching and blocking skills, for instance. Amateur success is a good indicator for professional success. Almost every Olympic gold medalist got much further in boxing than literally 99% of fighters.

theyre not THAT different but its like watching a kid playing hockey in Junior , example, Alexandre Daigle was destined to be the next best thing in hockey back 12 years ago, he turned out to be a HUGE flop, on the other hand u have sydney crosby who delivered the merchandise,

in boxing even tho similar, its not the same at all cause of the scoring systems, the lenght of fights, the head gear gloves etc, in pro its a lot different even tho having the same basics.. thats what I meant, look at Fraudley for examples, some gold medalist turns out to be champ in pros but other turns out to be shoulda coulda beens.. thats what I meant to say:good

[LennoxGOAT]

This will be just like Wlad-Peter. People will continue to discredit Wlad and he will just win and ruin the cash cow too early.

[BoxingGuru]

I think it's laughable that both Byrd and Brock wanna get into the ring again and get fucking destroyed by Wlad. What is this, you lose a title fight HUGE, beat a fucking tomato can and get another title shot?

[Bummy Davis]

Byrd and Brock really dont want to fight Vlad again but they may make a few bucks and Byrd and Brock have a good chance to upset Alex P. and make more money,Chambers is quick but not tested really vs top shelf but he is a speedy kid with a bit of pop

[boxingcar]

Povetkin?!, are those guys crazy?
Why hand him his first loss so early?, I think he needs more fights before stepping up like that.

what first loss? He'll beat them all. that's what's gonna happen.

[boxingcar]

OK, I think its clear that some in here are WAY overrating Alexander, yeah he has mad skills and hes a great prospect, put him in there with Wlad and his career will be over. Wlad is the top dog and he aint on anyones level right now, povetkin can beat brock and byrd to gain good exp, but he needs to take on others champ b4 thinking against Klit, I'm not even sure he can beat Byrd, he need a lot more experience b4 stepping in with Wlad,


Amateurs is NOTHING compared to pro, some of u seem to forget that

no , he'll be the first guy to take wlad's belt...

[C Money]

Eddie....EDDIE.....EDDIE!!!!:happy :happy :happy

Go Chambers!!! I hope this tourny comes off!!!!!:good


Chambers fought in one of the the same Golden Glove amateur tournament's as I, and I was impressed then, and I'm sticking with my fellow Pittsburgh turned Philly(UGGH!!!, but understood) Prospect. He may not appear to have the most imposing tools, but he's got the fastest hands on a small HW OUT!!! They dont call him Fast Eddie for nothing. It remains to be seen how he handles the HUGE HW's like WLad or Peter, but he's dominated guy's like Rahman in the gym. To top it off?? He's a CLASS ACT, and good person.

Brock vs Chambers ehhh??? WHAT'S THE ODDS???? I'm fitting to make some $$$$$$$$$. I also might add, I have a lot of respect for Brocks trainer, and Calvin himself, but I'll take that gamble.

[emanuel_augustus]

Byrd easily wins this mini-tournament

This is reminiscent of the IBF's tournament back in 2001 with Tua, Byrd, Nicholson, and Mo Harris. That lead Byrd to his world title win over Holyfield.

The Byrd of 2007 is not the Byrd of 2001. He matches up well with Brock and Chambers, even at this stage but those are not guarenteed victories.

As far as Povetkin being in too deep here, I think stylistically he is a very, very tough match for any of these guys. Byrd is more stationary now than ever and Povetkin's forward, swarming style will give Byrd probelms, particularly if AP shows a bit more aggression than he did against Donald. I might even make Povetkin the slight favorite over Byrd at this point.

Chambers is basically a poor man's Chris Byrd, good speed and skill, ability to counter, but he is not as sharp as a prime Byrd. He hasn't fought the competition to step up this level yet. Even Guinn, when he decided to let his hands go, was having success against Chambers. Povetkin is too busy and too strong for Chambers.

Povetkin/Brock would be an excellent matchup. Brock moves well and has a good beard, but again I think Povetkin is too strong.

Povetkin's obvious problem is if this tournament actually comes off, he wins, and then gets in with Wlad in the next year or two. Wlad is a very bad matchup for AP, I don't know how AP gets past that long jab and right hand.

Povetkin would be better off targeting Ibragimov or Chagaev, depending on who has the belt in a year or so.

[cross_trainer]

theyre not THAT different but its like watching a kid playing hockey in Junior , example, Alexandre Daigle was destined to be the next best thing in hockey back 12 years ago, he turned out to be a HUGE flop, on the other hand u have sydney crosby who delivered the merchandise,

in boxing even tho similar, its not the same at all cause of the scoring systems, the lenght of fights, the head gear gloves etc, in pro its a lot different even tho having the same basics.. thats what I meant, look at Fraudley for examples, some gold medalist turns out to be champ in pros but other turns out to be shoulda coulda beens.. thats what I meant to say:good

I agree, but remember that Fraudley, bad though he is, was still more successful than almost every professional boxer alive today. :good

[Shotgun]

Do Brock and Byrd have deathwishes? :lol:

I guess they're both masochists, to want to get destroyed by Wlad again. Byrd for the third time :patsch

None of these guys should even be on Wlad's radar right now. Maybe Povetkin a couple years down the road but what's the point of watching Wlad demolish Brock or Byrd yet again? And Chambers would be in way over his head

[Odo]

I guess I'm just thinking that 15 fights is way too soon to go against a guy like Wlad..I don't care who the opposition was against. And I would much rather see Arreola get his head knocked off by Wlad then Alexander before he can even get his exposure in his pro career.


Well,there is a huge difference between a fighter who has faced and defeated 15 very decent opponents,and a fighter who has faced and defeated 19 no-hopers and 1 decent fighters.
But I for sure agree with you inasmuch as I ,too,would rather watch Arreola get his head knocked off by Wlad than Povetkin before he can even get his exposure in his pro career.
Povetkin needs tv exposure,and and to a certain degree a name recognition among casual sport fans in the most important box markets Germany and the USA.
I ,too,would prefer watching him take on some decent fighters more before taking a shot at Wlad's title.

[Heavyrighthand]

Do Brock and Byrd have deathwishes? :lol:

I guess they're both masochists, to want to get destroyed by Wlad again. Byrd for the third time :patsch

None of these guys should even be on Wlad's radar right now. Maybe Povetkin a couple years down the road but what's the point of watching Wlad demolish Brock or Byrd yet again? And Chambers would be in way over his head

Right.



If Povetkin wins this four man tournament, he would then probably be seen as a worthy opponent for the dominant Klitschko, and it would probably be a somewhat sellable fight for Wlad. Povetkin will start to get some press and will get his name out there,if he beats Byrd and the Brock Chambers winner. Getting by those two fights will put him on the world stage.

But the other three fighters in this tournament would not sell to the public, even if they were to win and get the shot.

I can't imagine them trying to sell Byrd Wlad III, after the first two fights' outcomes.