By James Slater: Boxing is well and truly thriving in Germany right now, with a number of big cards going down this year. One more biggie is set for next month, on August 27th, as three important title fights will take place.
Two major heavyweight match-ups – in the form of the “regular” World Boxing Association (WBA) title (vacant) clash between Alexander Povetkin and Ruslan Chagaev, and the bout between upcoming contender Robert Helenius and Siarhei Liakhovich – will grab the most attention; while the WBA cruiserweight belt will also be on the line, as champ Guillermo Jones will meet interim ruler Yoan Pablo Hernandez.
All three fights have the possibility of being exciting affairs, and fans in attendance and watching on TV will get good value for money. The winner of the Povetkin-Chagaev fight might emerge as the next challenger for unified king Wladimir Klitschko, while if Helenius can continue his promising rise with a win over former WBO ruler Liakhovich, the Fin may become a significant name at the top of the contenders list.
All three fights are tough to pick, the sign of good matchmaking, and all three fights could end by way of KO. Povetkin has been held back for a frustrating amount of time, but in this fight his fans will get some idea if he can or cannot one day fulfill his earlier potential. Chagaev has to win this one or he will fade away into yesterday’s news, and this incentive should inspire the former WBA boss to fight his hardest. This fight, ludicrously contesting a version of the WBA belt as it is, could be the pick of the night.
Helenius has shown his power in recent fights, his KO of Sam Peter especially, and he gets a good test (at least on paper) against the returning Liakhovich. This may be the hardest fight of the three to pick a winner from. How much does “The White Wolf” have left? Is “The Nordic Nightmare” the real deal?
The cruiserweight clash should also produce good action. Hernandez is much the younger man at age 26 to Jones’ 39, and the interim champ is also a southpaw. Jones has been notoriously inactive as of late, with just one fight in the last three years. Hernandez has been active and he is coming off two impressive KO wins. This could be the last major fight in the career of Jones, as his age catches up with him.
Predictions:
I see Povetkin winning a reasonably wide decision over Chagaev, in what will hopefully be a fan-friendly fight.
I see Helenius having to settle for a points win also, as he proves to be too active and aggressive for the older Liakhovich.
And in the bout between Jones and Hernandez, I see Hernandez becoming only the second man to stop Jones; as he wins an exciting rumble with a late-rounds victory.