The two best heavyweights not named Klitschko fight in Efurt, Germany today for a cooked-up WBA world title. This fight is followed by Robert Helenius vs. Serhai Liakhovich.
Povetkin is undefeated (21-0-0) and ranked #3 by SportsRatings behind only Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. Ruslan Chagaev is ranked #4 and has a record of 27-1-1.
Event starts at 5:00pm eastern time (or rather, coverage does. Fight probably at 5:30)
CORRECTION - The Epix feed isn't live after all. Still, round by round scoring follows:
- Round One - Lots of circling and feeling out. Chagaev had the best punch of the round but Povetkin did a bit more. Not committing to this one. 10-10
- Round Two - More of the same, lots of pawing. Chagaev isn't connecting often but is blocking the meat of Povetkin's occasional flurries. Chagaev 10-9; Chagaev 20-19.
- Round Three - The Epix feed sucks ass. Povetkin pushing Chagaev with energetic flurries. Chag blocks most everything again but he's getting pressured, and Povetkin connects on a few. A lot more action this round. Good exchange at the end. Povetkin 10-9; 29-29.
- Round Four - Nice action to start the round, both fighters connecting, counterpunches from both fighters. Nice straight left by Chagaev. Potetkin starting to get combinations going in the 2nd half of the round. Povetkin 10-9. Povetkin 39-38
- Round Five - Both fighters moving a bit slower after the action the last two rounds. Great counter by Chagaev after Povetkin's flurry. Good uppercut by Povetkin. Again Povetkin doing better in the 2nd half of the round after a good start by Chagaev. Povetkin 10-9; Povetkin 49-37.
- Round Six - Chagaev stalking, connects with a left, and two more has Povetkin stunned, but Alex is fighting his way back. Great action this round. Uppercut left by Chagaev. Stiff right by Chagaev. Povetkin gets an uppercut in, looks a bit tired but not in trouble. Best round by either fighter for Chagaev, 10-9. Povetkin 58-47.
- Round Seven - Left hand again by Chagaev. Povetkin's punches are softer. Chagaev senses he has figured out how to hurt Povetkin and looks like a pit bull. Both fighters taking it easy in the 2nd half of the round. Chagaev 10-9. 67-67.
- Round Eight - Chagaev attacks and Povetkin's response isn't strong. Povetkin ducks big left from Chag. This is not a good advertisement for EpixHD. I think I saw most of that round, and have to call it a draw. 10-10, 77-77. But Chagaev is controlling the pace and probably won that round.
- Round Nine: Between rounds Teddy Atlas is actually telling Povetkin he can bring his father back to life if Povetkin becomes champion. Some good uppercuts from Povetkin mid-round. Povetkin goes to body, Chagaev good counter. Povetkin's best round in a while 10-9. 87-86 Povetkin
- Round Ten: Basically Povetkin's uppercuts vs. Chagaev's lefts has been the story of the fight, and whoever gets more in the last 3 rounds wins. Povetkin is doing more of what he wants than Chagaev this round. Chagaev may be a bit out of gas just as Povetkin is waking up. Povetkin is the agressor at the end of the round. Povetkin 10-9, 97-95.
- Round Eleven: Fuck Epix, their streams suck. I missed a lot of this round but what I saw Chagaev did a bit better this round. Chagaev 10-9. Povetkin 106-105.
- Round Twelve: Teddy Atlas is telling Povetkin to avoid the knockout attempt he says is coming from Chagaev. Povetkin is running from Chag's lefts, which don't connect. Uppercut from Povetkin does, though. Povetkin flurries, then exits before Chagaev can counter. Chagaev gets a left through with a minute left. Too little too late. It's going to be an interesting decision. I have Povetkin 10-9, 116-114.
116-112, 117-113, and 117-113 all for Alexander Povetkin. Chagaev had the fight in the bag but let up and Povetkin get back into it. Chagaev probably got tired after some of his better rounds.
The main thing I take away from this bout is that EpixHD is terrible. I missed a good 30 seconds of each round on average, or rather, saw the same 5 seconds about 3-4 times per round.
Helenius vs. Liakhovich scoring
Liakhovich (L from now on, Helenius is H) looks out of shape. H isn't exactly ripped but isn't chubby like L. Helenius is undefeated.
- Round One: L is active and jumping inside and back out. Getting some jabs in. H just working on keeping the distance. L scored a bit early, after that not much happened. Liakhovich 10-9.
- Round Two: Another jab from L. H starts jab but isn't connecting. L gets the straight left through when H jabs, but his punches aren't hurting H. Body shot from H. I actually give that one to Liakhovich, too. 10-9; Liakhovich 20-18.
- Round Three: Let's see if Helenius gets a sense of urgency to do something, or when he really gets going. H is punching harder this round. H is kind of being outboxed so far. L has a nosebleed. More action that round, and pretty even. 10-10. 30-28 Liakhovich.
- Round Four: L continues to be agressive, may have some confidence. H is realizing he's going to be in for a scrap, even though it still doesn't appear L is huring H much at all. L is still very energetic, H is keeping his cool, counterpunching. But he's clearly not fighting his fight; L is controlling the pace and action. H wins that round, however, 10-9. Liakhovich 39-38.
- Round Five: L is taking H's advantages (size, reach) away. Good combo punching by H, lands some good crosses. There's no quit in Liakhovich however. Good counter by L. Pretty even round by the end, but I give it to H for the middle part where he nearly rocked L. Helenius 10-9; tie 48-48
- Round Six: Good combo by H but L comes roaring back, in energy if not effectiveness. He hasn't slowed down all bout, and has definitely been the busier fighter. Both fighters connecting but H isn't bleeding. tie 10-10, 58-58.
- Round Seven: H is having a tough time taking control of the fight; it looks like lack of experience. He's still not determining the fight's pace this round but is getting the better of the punches that do connect. H 10-9; Helenius 68-67.
- Round Eight: H is marking up L's face but L is hardly slowing. H goes off on L late in the round and he goes to a knee. Helenius 10-8; Helenius 78-75.
- Round Nine: How much longer can L last? He's expended so much energy. Helenius catches him with and uppercut and then some strong shots and the ref stops the fight. Helenius by TKO.