BoxRec

Another interesting step up for the hottest prospect in the Heavyweight division, Povetkin is stepping in the ring with tricky ex champ Chris Byrd.
Although Byrd is probably nearing the end of a good career he won't be coming to lose, and always comes into a fight in great shape.
Byrd has the style and movement to cause Povetkin some problems.

Its great to see a boxer like Povetkin back up his words in the ring, can't see him far off a title fight if he beats Byrd

He makes Greenberg, Tye Fields and Faruq Saleem look pathetic the way he's taking on people, they want to take a leaf out of Povetkin and Solis's book...

Old bones Ian wrote:Another interesting step up for the hottest prospect in the Heavyweight division, Povetkin is stepping in the ring with tricky ex champ Chris Byrd.
Although Byrd is probably nearing the end of a good career he won't be coming to lose, and always comes into a fight in great shape.
Byrd has the style and movement to cause Povetkin some problems.

Its great to see a boxer like Povetkin back up his words in the ring, can't see him far off a title fight if he beats Byrd

Isn't it part of an IBF tournament?

Yeah i don't know if it still is, but originally it was meant to be

Povetkin vs Byrd

Eddie Chambers vs Calvin Brock

With the two winners facing off to determine the challenger for Wlad.

Which really is totally ridiculous, since Wlad has already taken out Byrd and Brock with little fuss and would do so again and again 7 days a week. So we pretty much have to hope Povetkin pulls through this 'tournament', at least he has showed some ambition, is young and hungry, and is not washed up. But realistically, it looks like a nice easy 2008 for Wladimir.

Yes you are quite correct, the IBF tournament is good in theory but in reality Brock and Byrd both faced Wlad and were found wanting. Brock's "challenge" was quite frankly, dire. Povetkin has the tools to beat Byrd and i fully expect him too, on points or via late stoppage. As for the other fight well...i have never seen Chambers fight so cannot really comment.

Chambers is one of those boxers who isn't bad at anything, but isn't exceptional either. He'd beat some of the contenders, but not the top guys.
On recent showings i'd pick him over Brock, and he'd be a hard night for Povetkin. But wouldn't beat him