As fight fans are probably aware, it looks like reigning WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder will have to travel to Russia for what most are calling the toughest fight of his entire career – the May 21st date with Alexander Povetkin. Wilder, unbeaten at 36-0, deserves much credit if he does indeed take the already risky (but mandatory) assignment in the hostile, unfamiliar environment of Russia.
But can Wilder, who has so far in his reign defended his belt against three good if not great challengers, beat the never-stopped Povetkin? Fans see this fight as close to 50-50, or perhaps give Povetkin, if he gets the fight at home especially, a slight edge. One man who fight fans will listen to has his own opinion on how the intriguing fight will go, and that’s retired heavyweight great Lennox Lewis.
Lewis was asked by Russia’s Ray Poplawski who he favours in the upcoming fight. Replying via social media, the former champ stated:
“Advantage Povetkin. Much more experience and too many weaknesses in Deontays game worry me. His power can bail him out tho.”
We’ve seen Wilder’s brutal punching power suddenly and without warning close the show in a close fight before, most recently and impressively against Artur Szpilka, who was doing well before getting blasted out by Wilder in his last fight. But can Wilder rely on his power to “bail him out” against as tough and as seasoned a fighter as Povetkin?
A number of boxing experts have referred to Wilder as a champion who is still perfecting his craft, learning on the job as it were. Lewis is certainly correct when he says Povetkin has more experience. A former Olympic gold medallist and standout amateur, Povetkin has also been in with such excellent fighters as Wladimir Klitschko, Mike Perez, Ruslan Chagaev, Chris Byrd and Eddie Chambers. In comparison, pro record-wise, Wilder – also an Olympian, capturing a bronze – has just one stellar name on his resume in Bermane Stiverne.
But is Wilder getting better and better with each fight as well as growing in confidence after each victory? Wilder will have some advantages of his own in the upcoming fight, most notably his advantages in height and reach. Wilder has a good left jab and he can box. Can Povetkin get close enough to take advantage of the champion’s defensive flaws? Wilder can box smart and he can box patiently, if he does this against Povetkin, and if he is able to maintain distance and not let the shorter man get set, it isn’t too much of a stretch to imagine Wilder frustrating and out-pointing Povetkin.
Lewis sees things differently, and Povetkin is a very dangerous threat to Wilder (and can Wilder get a points verdict his way in Russia if it does go the limit?) but I see the champ retaining via a points win. And Wilder’s stock will rise significantly if he can score an away win over a very good, well-schooled challenger in the once-beaten Povetkin.