Will neo-soviet boxers outclass US boxing? It’s already started

By Boxing News - 04/07/2016 - Comments

ShabranskyyWilson_Hoganphotos-720x495By Jaime Ortega: In the past 3 years the emergence of boxing prodigies from the former Soviet Union has tripled and its influence continues to grow on the sport. Traditionally soviet style boxing compiles the art of ring shift and ring cut merged with power, but in less than a decade, soviet boxing has evolved into different styles that now menace different weight classes — specially a threat to the conventional American supremacy in pugilism. I won’t speak on behalf of all weight divisions, but most.

United States still holds the upper hand in boxing, but only slightly as the gap narrows. The first clash of the titans will occur sometime in May between heavy weights, Deontay Wilder and Alexander Povetkin. If Wilder keeps the distance and uses the jab he might possibly win via knockout; however, if he tries to outbox Povetkin and allows the Russian to rush inside — he won’t win. Wilder’s wild card is his length, while Povetkin’s ace is his granite chin. In my opinion 50/50 fight.

The cruiserweight division is completely dominated by Russians. Grigory Drozd, Beibut Shumenov and Denis Levedev with Oleksandr Usyk completely control the division.

Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev presents another tough test but intriguing matchup. Kovalev has swept the light heavyweight division, while Andrew Ward comes from dominating the super middleweight class. Ward has the technically wizardry of an Olympian boxer, with smooth well timed calculated punches; meanwhile, Kovalev shows relentless power and can also box partly thanks to the attentive supervision inculcated by John David Jackson. If Ward wins, expect UD; if Kovalev wins expect via knockout — 50/50 fight.

Whoever wins the fight between Ward and Kovalev will have to face two future Russian stars; Vyascheslav Shabrankskyy, and Artur Beterbiev are no joke and will soon take control of the division; two great boxers with completely different styles and a wicked knockout ratio. Bernard Hopkins, will not beat either one – he is too old and should retire– so the hope rest on Ward to dominate the division, but it will be hard.

With Ward out the super middleweight division, Andre and Anthony Dirrell will eventually clash heads with Fedor Chudinov a crafty and explosive fighter. Once again tough fights.

Gennady Golovkin might not be Russian born, but his style of boxing is predominantly soviet. So far. Daniel Jacobs has not stepped up to fight the Kazakh, but should eventually happen unless other factors play out. Gennady hastened to take the Ward fight for inconclusive reasons, so he needs to start thinking of moving up because he completely dominates the middleweight division. As for now, no American fighter can match him – but that could change.

The Jr. Middleweight division is currently under the control of the US. Austin Trout, Demetrius Andrade, Jermall & Jermell Charlo and Julian Williams dominate the division – no Russian insight looking forward. Russians need to step-up here.

The welterweight division thus far presents great American prospects.

Errol Spence, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Jessie Vargas, Timothy Bradley and Shawn Porter overwhelm the division with great boxing talent made in America. However, two highly skilled Russian boxers might soon present trouble, while slowly but steadily moving up in rank. Undefeated fighters Dmitry Mikhaylenko and Konstantin Ponomarev will eventually join their American counterparts; Ponomarev could beat any top American welterweight – very crafty and skillful fighter with a great amateur record. I said it first.

When it comes to the Jr. Welterweight division, I also said it first. Terrence Crawford will beat Ukrainian boxer Viktor Postol via knockout, but he won’t beat Eduard Troyanovsky — Eduard Troyanovsky will also give Adrien Broner a clinical end. Brilliant amateur record with a lot of skill, power and tempo. Eduard like Crawford will have to eventually join the welterweight division – those two – present the best fight in the super lightweight division. The best fight is not Postol vs. Crawford.

The lightweight division doesn’t really have any decent American boxers, and only have counts with one decent Russian – Denis Shafinov.

In the featherweight division Vasyl Lomachenko already completely dominated and outclassed Gary Russel Jr. Now it is up to Nicholas Walter to beat the Ukrainian. The Axe-man has a great knockout ratio coming into this fight, so it increases the chances to see a knockout. Another 50/50 fight, the difference will reside in how Walter uses strength and reach against an opponent with great hand speed, technical and footwork ability. Either Walters KO’s Lomachenko, or Lomachenko outclasses Walters. Another tough fight to call.

These new soviet fighters should not be underestimated, they train and work very hard, and their skill level has started to outshine many different weight divisions. The US needs to step up before the shift leans towards the Russians.



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