On Sunday IBF/WBO Heavyweight titlist Wladimir Klitschko defends his belts against former undisputed Heavyweight Champion Hasim Rahman in Germany. Rahman is coming in as a replacement after IBF mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin injured his ankle in training and had to pull out of the fight. This will be the Klitschko’s 5th defence of his IBF belt that he took from Chris Byrd in 2006 and the 2nd of his WBO belt that he took from Sultan Ibragimov in February of this year. Unlike Klitschko’s last four bouts, this one on paper could be an exciting fight with both guys showing in the past that they have big knockout power and are also susceptible to being knocked out themselves. The winner of this fight is likely to meet former undisputed Cruiserweight champion David Haye in what would be the biggest heavyweight fight since the much hyped Mike Tyson vs Lennox Lewis fight in June 2002.
For Rahman he knows this could likely be his last shot at the big time and you would think would be on his game. Rahman has a history of being extremely inconsistant and should the Rahman who fought Holyfield, Ruiz or Maskaev show up he’ll likely be disposed of before the midway point of the fight. However, should Rahman come out firing his jab like he did when he fought Lennox Lewis, David Tua or Kali Meehan then we could see an upset. Sportstab in Australia have listed Rahman at 7-1 which are very generous odds considering Wladimir is very suspect to a fighter with good power who backs himself to attack.
Klitschko on the other hand basically has the fight in his hands. If he fights like he can and dominates the pace with his jab and follows it up with solid crosses and hooks he’ll make easy work of Rahman. If he fights like he did in his last two fights where he gave his overmatched opponents way way too much respect then Rahman has as much chance as anyone in there. The big difference is that unlike Ibragimov and Thompson, Rahman has proven one punch knockout power that will take Klitschko out if he’s given the oppurtunity. Klitschko cannot fight scared in this fight or he will no longer hold his belts. Hopefully (for his sake anyway, I’d love to see him lose) he’s visited the Wizard of Oz recently and been given his courage.
Prediction
With 7-1 odds, I make Rahman a huge favourite and I’ve laid some money down on him. However, I think Klitschko will beat Rahman after a shaky first or second round. The fact that Rahman has taken this fight as a replacement and that he hasn’t looked that good of late lead me to believe that Klitschko will take over this fight as soon as he makes Rahman feel his power. Rahman has to back himself if he wants to cause the upset and be willing to go out on his shield trying to land his power shots. Klitschko though will likely beat the fight out of Rahman with his jab and then finish the job in the middle rounds. Wladimir Klitschko by 7th round knockout.
