by Mike Jones
TITANS clash this Saturday (December 3) as European heavyweight stars Alexander Povetkin and Robert Helenius feature in separate title fights.
Top of the bill sees 22-0 (15) Povetkin defend his WBA heavyweight title for the first time against division dark horse Cedric Boswell. The unbeaten Russian was rumored to be squaring-off with American legend Evander Holyfield but the potential mismatch was rightfully scuppered and Boswell drafted in for a surprise shot.
Boswell, an impressive 35-1 (26), has been waiting patiently for a world title opportunity since an upset knock-out win over undefeated UK-based Israeli Roman Greenberg four years ago. At 6’3” and around 230 lbs, Boswell has both the size and experience to give the younger champion some major troubles in the contest at the Hartwell Arena, Helsinki.
Although the big American is 42-years-old, he is extremely fresh thanks to a three-year break from the sport after his first loss; a ten round stoppage at the hands of Jameel McCline back in 2004. That reverse remains the challenger’s only loss. His form has been solid since the Greenberg win; Cedric has won three fights this year alone. One recent win that stands out is a ten-round points victory over the still-durable Oliver McCall in March. McCall can still be a handful even at 46-years-old but the big Georgian controlled the pace well to outbox the older man for a wide decision victory. Cedric’s quality of opposition may not have been the best, but the Atlanta-native seems to have been largely avoided during his 17-year career; not helped by his two-round blow-out over Greenberg, 27-0 (18) at the time.
Talented Povetkin, trained by famed American Teddy Atlas, still remains something of an enigma in the sport. After a whirlwind start to his career which saw him fight and beat the likes of Chris Byrd, Larry Donald and Eddie Chambers, the Russian has been horribly inconsistent in the last three years. In his last fight in October, Alexander won a tough twelve round decision over former champion Ruslan Chagaev to win the vacant title (after Wladimir Klitschko beat Haye to become ‘Super’ champion).
It was a good win for the former Olympic gold medalist and hopefully one he can build on starting with Boswell. Alexander, no spring chicken himself at 32-years-old, must not underestimate his opponent or his unbeaten record could be in ruins. Boswell possesses good skills, decent hand-speed and hits very hard. This first defense is a dangerous one, the champion is to be commended for not picking a bigger-name-lower-risk fight (Hasin Rahman anyone?).
Povetkin, an inch shorter at 6’2”, needs to keep his concentration against the fired-up Boswell, who knows this is his final shot at the big time after so many set-backs since his debut back in 1994. Boswell has said in the build-up “I’ve been waiting for this (opportunity) all of my life.”
Boswell has a massive six-inch reach advantage, will be up for this fight and could well prove to be Povetkin’s toughest opponent to date.
Expect “The Boz” to start quickly in this twelve rounder, pumping out the jab and looking to impose himself early on. Povetkin may take a few rounds to figure out his experienced challenger, may even be a little shocked at the hand-speed and heavy punches coming back at him. There could be some exciting exchanges in the first half of the fight as both men try hard to gain an advantage; both can bang with either hand.
An upset would be easy to predict and is definitely a distinct possibility, but I go for the champion to retain by tough decision, maybe even a late stoppage over his American challenger in a good fight.
In the chief support, Finland’s “Nordic Nightmare” Robert Helenius takes on once-beaten Londoner Dereck Chisora for the vacant European title in a cracking match-up between up-and-coming big men.
Helenius, 16-0 (11), has been matched fairly hard in his brief pro career, beating three former world champions already in Lamon Brewster, Sam Peter and (last time out) Sergei Liakhovich. The 6’6” Helenius looks a sure-fire champion in-the-making with both size and power. The 27-year-old prospect can look a little labored on occasion but has come through every test so far and carries his power impressively into the later rounds.
Chisora, also 27, has had a nightmare of a year; a bout with world champion Wladimir Klitschko fell through several times before “Del Boy” suffered his first loss as a pro. Coming in 20 lbs heavier than usual, the sluggish Londoner was widely outscored by unbeaten rival Tyson Fury in a disappointing performance that drew deserved criticism. Dereck, the pre-fight favorite, was simply out-boxed and out-fought by Fury, who was rarely troubled by his slow opponent in lifting the British and commonwealth titles.
Beaten Chisora had to go back to the drawing board after that punishing loss. In his first fight back three weeks ago the slimmed-down former British champion out-pointed journeyman Remigijus Ziausys over six rounds. At 241 lbs, Dereck was his lightest in three years and intends to be in even better shape for this European title fight.
Chisora is confident of pulling of the upset, even predicting a knock-out victory, but looks up against it in taking on the Ulli Wegner-trained Helenius in Finland. The five-inches-taller former EU champion insists he has prepared for the best possible Dereck Chisora and must surely be looking to improve on Tyson Fury’s performance by stopping the erratic co-challenger.
It’s difficult to bet against the home fighter who is so much more consistent than Chisora. Expect the in-shape Londoner to try and let his faster hands go early on, he may even find himself in a slight lead on the scorecards after four or five rounds. Robert will keep stalking though, walking his man down. Helenius will keep marching after Dereck and by the fifth, will be timing his pet punches to head and body as his prey begins to tire. Later in the contest, Chisora, having taken a sustained beating, will be caught and dropped heavily by his Finnish foe. A good “Finnisher”, Helenius will not let the battered Brit off the hook and will force the ref to intervene somewhere between rounds eight and ten.
Also on the bill, female champion Cecilia Braekhus defends her WBC, WBA and WBO welterweight titles against Hawaii’s Kuulei Kupikea. The Norwegian star, 18-0 (4) is expected to be given little trouble by her southpaw challenger, who has fought only eight contests in eight years in a 7-1 (2) career. Braekhus, 30-years-old, should romp home by a wide decision in the scheduled ten rounder.
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