Alexander Povetkin is in Wladimir Klitschko’s Future Plans

12/07/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

Maybe it’s his dominance in the heavyweight division, his skill-set and physical abilities above those who challenge him, and perhaps his opposition doesn’t have that explosive marketability, but it seems as though Wladimir Klitschko doesn’t have to push himself too hard in his title defenses, making his fights seem effortless and even static to a degree. It’s a rare occurrence for the boxing community to get excited about any of his bouts.

The last fight that I can think of, where there was genuine interest and enthusiasm from the boxing fans as well as the media, was when Wladimir faced Alexander Povetkin in Moscow, Russia, last October. That fight was not only a popularity success, but also one of the biggest financial accomplishments for team Klitschko.

Ruslan Provodnikov back in USA on March 28

12/03/201412/02/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

This past Saturday night, Ruslan Provodnikov (24-3-0) had successfully defeated Jose Luis Castillo (66-12-1) via a 5 round TKO in Moscow, Russia.

Provodnikov has a very timid personality outside of the ring, paired with an exceptionally crown pleasing style inside the ring. There are always people willing to pay to come see his action packed fights live. That is why his promoter Art Pelullo is having Provodnikov fight in the USA as soon as possible.

“Now Ruslan is coming back to fight on HBO. This will be in the USA in March, possibly March 28th. We are looking at Marcos Maidana, Danny Garcia, and Lucas Matthysse,” stated Pelullo.

Kubrat Pulev to Wladimir Klitschko: “Earn my respect!”

11/21/201411/20/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

As with any loss, comes not only a period of denial, but also hope. Rarely does a fighter admit to losing because their opponent was simply better, throwing verbal jabs and suggestions at something other than their boxing ability that may have caused their loss.

Losing to Wladimir Klitschko has become a standard in the heavyweight division, as the towering Ukrainian champion has developed a style that has been working for him without a flaw. For Klitschko’s latest victim Kubrat Pulev, accepting his 5th round knockout loss is not something that he is willing to give in to.

Wladimir Klitschko: “Pulev is acting like Haye, constantly complains about something”

11/14/201411/13/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

In a recent interview with Wladimir Klitschko, the Ukrainian heavyweight champion has revealed that he is been annoyed with the way his future opponent Kubrat Pulev has been acting leading up to the fight. The Bulgarian challenger is slated to face Klitschko this coming Saturday in Hamburg, Germany.

It seems as though Pulev has been voicing his concerns more and more as the fight gets closer. This has been happening so much, that Wladimir Klitschko could only compare it to the barrage of issues that David Haye had when their fight was on the horizon.

Wladimir Klitschko: “When I hear those complaints, it’s the best compliment I can get for my work”

11/13/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

Despite the fact that Wladimir Klitschko has been successfully defending his titles and dominating the heavyweight division for over a decade, the criticism of his ‘boring’ style and hand-picked opponents is only growing. It has always been either an opponent not in his class or a dreadfully boring bout, with Wladimir Klitschko doing something to cause that.

I must admit that Wladimir is not an explosive fighter, and comparing him to the former champions who were, is not exactly a direct evaluation. The reason for this non-linear comparison being flawed is because while his ability to stand and trade is not quite there, his technical skill is probably one of the best in the heavyweight history.

Bernard Hopkins: Lace ‘Em Up, or Hang ‘Em Up?

11/12/201411/11/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

This past Saturday night, Sergey Kovalev was able to show that his style was indeed something that the older Bernard Hopkins was simply not able to adjust to. Kovalev won every single round, decisively. While he was unable to do any physical damage Hopkins, he did deliver a statement, one advising Hopkins to call it quits.

No matter how you turn it, no matter how you realign it, at this point in time Hopkins would lose to a fighter like Kovalev every time. While Hopkins looked in shape, and showed no lack of stamina or concentration, his savior from hitting the canvas for good was his well chiseled defense. Other than his turtle shell guard, his offense was nowhere to be found.

Pacquiao: “You’ll see that I’m back in the old days when I was young.”

12/02/201411/02/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

After 63 professional bouts, many of them against not notch world champions, it would be plausible to say that Manny Pacquiao’s boxing career has probably run its course. This belief has been highlighted, even exaggerated due to 2 losses in 2012: a SD loss to Timothy Bradley, and of course the 6th round knockout loss to Pacquiao’s nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez. Clearing a loss is much more than just winning a couple of fights, which Pacquiao did against Brandon Rios in 2013 and Timothy Bradley in April of this year.

Kovalev will earn $500K in his bout against Bernard Hopkins

10/31/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

We are just about a week away from one of the more talked about Bernard Hopkins bouts in a long time. While Hopkins (55-6-2) has already achieved more than most boxers could expect for themselves, at the age of 49 he is certainly pushing those limits of father time and human physiology. Nevertheless, the adrenaline of stepping through the ropes as well as the comfort of the cheering crowd is something that Hopkins is not willing to abandon just yet.

GGG vs. Rubio: G-Force Floors Rubio for the Count

10/19/201410/19/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

Every time Golovkin crosses the ropes to enter the boxing ring, fans pray for some longevity. Marco Antonio Rubio, according to many, was supposed to be that man, that fighter who would undoubtedly deliver that extra competitive edge. Rubio’s extensive ring experience and aggressive style should have certainly been enough to give Golovkin something to work with. Instead, the fight ended just the way it always did: with Golovkin’s victorious smile and his opponent trying to figure out what happened and how did it all happen so fast.

Is Macau the new Las Vegas?

09/12/201409/12/2014 Vitali Shaposhnikov

by Vitali Shaposhnikov & Linda Schwarz: Where would you place Macau China on a list of the top ten boxing sites in the world? Might holding major world championship bouts there be a viable option for the next foreseeable future? If Bob Arum has anything to say about it, sometime in the near future, he would place it in the number one spot!

What draws boxing fans to Las Vegas? Vegas has an other world, surreal feeling. The bright lights, the crush of the crowds, the huge venues that hold thousands of eager, passionate fans all create an atmosphere of excitement and palpable energy. However, is all of this glitz enough to fend off the quickly rising empire what is fondly known as “the Asian market?”