12.11.06 – By Alden “The Kid” Chodash: Wladimir Klitschko, making his first defense of the IBF title he won from Chris Byrd, faced undefeated American Calvin Brock at Madison Square Garden Saturday night. Brock had already registered an impressive and televised victory against two-time heavyweight title challenger Jameel McCline. Brock also scored the frontrunner for “Knockout of the Year” against Zuri Lawrence with a sickening left hook..
Brock started unsure of himself and off-balance, possibly from intimidation. Klitschko won the opening round primarily by landing a couple of stiff jabs. Brock then started to use his surprisingly awkward style to effect in the second and won the round on unofficial HBO scorer Harold Lederman’s card. The third was another close round and so was the fourth. The fifth saw a fight-turning modification from Klitschko as he was throwing countless jabs and late in the round he wobbled Brock with right hands. Klitschko remained dominant in the sixth as well and in the seventh he hurt Brock badly with a right. Another right hand dropped Brock and he landed flat on his face. Brock barely beat the count but referee Wayne Kelly saw that Brock was in no condition to continue and stopped the contest in round seven.
Wladimir Klitschko solidified his claim to the heavyweight title against an undefeated heavyweight contender and the only undefeated top-ten heavyweight. So the man who they called “glass-jawed” and “Quitschko” only two years ago is probably the best heavyweight in the world.
How Klitschko Would Fare Against…….
Nicolai Valuev: This would be the most intriguing fight on paper for Klitschko primarily because Klitschko would be facing a taller opponent. The fight would be terribly boring though. Klitschko and Valuev, who are fans of clinching, would clinch their way through the first four rounds until Klitschko’s jab becomes the deciding factor. Valuev was buckled against Monte Barrett so I’m predicting a late round stoppage for Klitschko.
Shannon Briggs: This fight is the most dangerous fight Klitschko can take. As we learned against Sergei Liakovich, Briggs’ power can be a deciding factor at any moment in the fight. Briggs also has great boxing skills and savvy. I predict Briggs dropping Klitschko early but Klitschko holding on, using his jab to its fullest extent, and winning by a decision if not a late round knockout.
Oleg Maskaev: With all due respect to Maskaev, he would be completely dominated by Klitschko. Klitschko would out-box Maskaev with his jab and win a commanding decision riding on the fact that Maskaev took the best right hands Hasim Rahman had to offer.
Samuel Peter: A rematch with Peter would be very interesting on paper and in the ring. I think Klitschko has learned since the fight with Peter and I predict Klitschko getting off the canvas late to win another dominant decision over Peter.
James Toney: This fight would be another interesting fight on paper primarily because of the dramatic size differential but it would be a tactical, boring affair. Toney has the skills to land often against Klitschko but Toney’s weight issues would cause him to be inconsistent. Klitschko wins a close but unanimous decision based on his jab.