11.11.06 – By Tim Neilson: Wladimir Klitschko (46-3, 41 KO’s) returns to the ring tonight to defend his IBF heavyweight title against former Olympian Calvin Brock (29-0, 22 KO’s) at the Madison Square Garden in New York. The fight is a contrast of stylish boxing over raw punching power, with Wladimir having the clear advantage in the power department. Though, Brock can punch plenty hard, too, judging from his 22 knockouts on his record. However, the real power lies with Wladimir, who will likely be unloading on Brock with everything he’s got early on.. Based on size and strength, this should be easy fight for Wladimir.
However, given his previous problems with punching himself out, it’s difficult to pick a clear cut winner in this bout. We know that Wladimir has fought the much better opposition between the two, but he’s also looked horrible, in losing to Lamon Brewster, Ross Puritty, and Corrie Sanders. None of the fighters were in Wladimir’s league in terms of speed or overall skills, yet they still were able to knock him out.
That’s the problem with Wladimir; he can crumble if pressured hard or hit just right. At the same time, with his monstrous power and hand speed, Wladimir is just as likely to quickly knockout any fighter put in front of him if he decides to turn on his offensive attack.
In recent bouts, Brock has looked very beatable, struggling to decision David Bostice, a fighter that Wladimir annihilated in 2-rounds back in 2000, or against Zuri Lawrence, a journeyman fighter that up until he knocked him out in the 6th round, was fighting Brock to a standstill. Worst still, was Brock’s last fight, a 12-round stinker against Timor Ibragimov, where Brock looked slow and old.
Just watching those fights alone, it’s difficult to picture Brock as an undefeated fighter. Basically, you can throw out Brock’s unbeaten record, since most of it’s padded with fights against inferior opposition.
Clearly, Klitschko is a talented fighter, even with his sometimes poor stamina and weak chin. When he’s attacking and pacing himself, he’s very difficult anyone to beat, particularly against smaller fighters like Brock, who will be giving away for inches in height to Wladimir.
The real question, however, is whether Brock can stand up under the hail of fire power that Wladimir is going to be launching at him from the opening bell. It doesn’t matter how many rounds Brock has sparred for this fight, since none ofhis sparring partners can mimic Wladimir’s offensive arsenal.
If Wladimir starts unloading with his right hand, left hook combination, it will be difficult for Brock to stand up to that kind of punishment for long without going down or busting up. Brock’s only chance, it seems, is for him to try and bum rush Wladimir, and hope that he can clip him with a hard enough punch to end it.
Again, it’s not likely to happen, as Wladimir will likely back up or move to the side, and tag Brock with a big right as he goes by. I see this fight ending as being a one-sided beating with Wladimir’s right hand doing most of the damage.
Prediction: Wladimir by 6th round KO.