by James Slater – Tonight, in Germany, 29-year-old undefeated heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin kept his perfect record with a clear UD win over 28-year-old Rhode Island man Jason Estrada. Winning by scores of 99-94, 98-92 and 97-93, Povetkin, weighing a career-heaviest 230-pounds, got rid of some ring rust and advanced to 17-0(12). Estrada, who definitely came to fight, fell to 15-2(3)..
Povetkin looked a little flabby as he entered the ring, and Estrada, though he weighed-in at 241, which is a decent weight for him, looked a little fleshy himself. Despite this, the two men put on a lively and watchable fight.
Estrada started well and won the opening two rounds on my card, but it was clear very early that he lacked the power to hurt the Russian star. “Big-Six” was firing out nice, snappy left jabs in the early rounds and he was coming forward, taking the fight to the favourite.
Povetkin’s left hook was looking as dangerous as ever, and in round 2, as it landed to Estrada’s head, the slightly younger man gritted his teeth and beckoned Povetkin in.
Estrada, though he continued to be game, faded somewhat in the second half of the contest. Landing a number of right hand counters to the head – Jason’s best punch tonight – the American took a number of lefts to the head. Povetkin was blowing by the 4th, though, which was not a good sign.
It might, just might, have been a different story had Estrada carried more punching power, because by the 6th and 7th Povetkin was open-mouthed and his defence was in no way air tight. Still, it was the Olympic gold medallist who “wanted it” more, and his shots were both harder, sharper and more plentiful in the last third or so of the bout.
The action, while never great, was good enough and the fight was in no way a boring one. Povetkin’s hands were still fast in the final two rounds and it was clear Estrada needed a KO – something he never looked like getting. The 10th round was lively, as Povetkin was looking for the finish; appearing to hurt his man as he unloaded and backed Estrada up. After taking a left hook to the head and being sent into the ropes, Estrada sucked it up and threw a huge overhand right. Trying with all his might to sensationally end matters, “Big Six” made it to the final bell.
Certainly not disgracing himself, and doing far better than his critics had predicted, Estrada still goes home with a clear decision against him. Though he can fight and box, Estrada’s lack of power will always go against him at top level.
As for Povetkin, after seeing plenty of rust removed in tonight’s fight he will surely come in sharper and lighter next time out. Still in with a chance of becoming a world champion, “Sasha” remains a heavyweight attraction worth watching.