Posted on 10/23/2007 5:15:04 PM

Boxing Betting Odds: Can Byrd Fly One More Time?

By Charles Jay

On Saturday, October 27 in Germany, BetUS sportsbook offers boxing betting odds for the undefeated Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin that will square off for twelve scheduled rounds with former heavyweight titleholder Chris Byrd in a true crossroads fight, where the winner will greatly enhance his chances to fight for a world crown, while the loser must take a couple of steps back and re-evaluate. In the BetUS boxing betting odds, Povetkin is listed as a -550 favorite, while Byrd is at +400 as the underdog.

WBC International Heavyweight Title

October 27, Germany

ALEXANDER POVETKIN -550

CHRIS BYRD +400

The fight between Povetkin and Byrd is part of a special four-man heavyweight tournament administered by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), which will ultimately result in a mandatory challenger for its heavyweight champ, Wladimir Klitschko. The other "semi-final" bout will feature Calvin Brock against Eddie Chambers on November 2 in Tacoma. Considering that Brock and Byrd have both lost to Wladimir already (in Byrd's case, twice), the tournament lacks a certain lustre. But it is meaningful nonetheless.

For boxing betting purposes, let's size up the contestants:

POVETKIN (13-0, 10 KO's) originally made his mark in kick-boxing, winning titles in both the amateur and professional ranks. He was as successful an amateur heavyweight as has been seen in the last twenty years. Povetkin won almost every amateur tournament he entered, and capped it off in the Athens Olympics with a gold medal in the super heavyweight division. As a pro he has disposed of thirteen opponents. Only Friday Anunanya, who has stood in with some good fighters, and former Olympian Larry Donald were noteworthy, and Donald, at 40 years of age and off a year and a half of inactivity, was clearly on the downside. But Povetkin was indeed impressive, scoring a shutout decision. He has cleared every hurdle that has been thrown in front of him without much of a problem. Many observers consider him to be the best prospect in the heavyweight division.

BYRD (40-3-1, 21 KO's) is, of course, the former IBF and WBO heavyweight champ, and a long-time amateur standout. His biggest wins were probably over Vitali Klitschko, who suddenly quit with an injury when he was well ahead on the cards after nine rounds; David Tua, a masterful performance over a big puncher without finesse or boxing technique; and Evander Holyfield, who he dominated over 12 rounds to win the IBF crown in 2002. He's also had some close calls, namely a draw with Andrew Golota and disputed decision wins over Fres Oquendo and Jameel McCline. Some would argue that Byrd hasn't really been impressive for almost five years.

In terms of "last appearances" I wouldn't read too much into Byrd's win over the less-than-estimable Paul Marinaccio, which lasted seven rounds back in April. When fighters know they have nothing more than a tune-up fight, you can't expect them to prepare for it with the same level of intensity as they would for a fight with real significance. Povetkin's win over Donald, on the other hand, came in what was the biggest fight of his career up to that time.

In terms of how these two match-up, I'm sure Povetkin isn't too worried about the fact that Byrd is a southpaw, because he probably faced many of them in the amateurs. What is of some concern, though, is the style this one southpaw in particular brings to the table. Povetkin hasn't necessarily seen everything there is to see in the pro ring, but Byrd is the kind of fighter who is troublesome for anyone to match up against. He moves, he clinches, he comes at different angles. He often makes for horrible fights, but has also been known to have opponents "sleep-walking" around the ring. He doesn't care if he puts on a boring show; he wants to be effective.

The way to overwhelm Byrd is with power and all-around size, because he really is not the ideal "natural" heavyweight (in fact, Byrd once fought in the Olympic Trials at 139 pounds). That is why he had so much difficulty with the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Ike Ibeabuchi. Povetkin is not a particularly big heavyweight, coming in at 225.5 pounds for the fight with Donald, with 226 being his career high. He may have an inch or two in height over Byrd, but that is nothing compared to what Byrd had to go through against the Klitschko brothers. Povetkin is an aggressive type, holding his hands high and coming forward at his opponent. He is one guy who is not afraid to let his hands go.

But in a sense, that is the kind of opponent that is tailor-made for Byrd - someone he can parry, who comes without a lot of odd angles, who stands in front of him and can probably be frustrated if he's not landing with the accuracy rate he's used to. You can bet that if Byrd isn't a completely shot fighter (and that is so hard to gauge, since it can happen overnight), his game plan is centered around making it difficult to be hit, throwing Povetkin's timing off, and in general taking advantage of his opponent's inexperience in the pro ranks. I know that Byrd is considered to be a stepping stone by many, but the fact that he was not handpicked means that this isn't a case of "matchmaker's calculation."

Povetkin is the younger guy (by about nine years). He is fresh. He is talented. He is accomplished. He is the fighter on the rise. And by the way, in case you're not aware, he is the "house" fighter, living in Russia but fighting out of Germany for promoter Wilfred Sauerland. If you thought it was hard to win on the road in football, it's even harder in boxing. Some European countries are more difficult than others, and in Germany it is extremely difficult. They do not roll out the red carpet for fighters from the U.S., and the boxing commission out there plays a lot of games.

Even so, I do not think I would lay this much of a price (-550 at BetUS) with a guy who has not proven himself at this level AS A PRO. Byrd has a very big experience edge; if he comes in shape, and in any way resembles the Byrd we have seen through the years, he can make this is a very awkward evening for the Russian who has never really encountered anyone like him. I might add that for someone who has been more than six rounds just once, the 12-round distance has the potential of depositing him into no man's land. At this point, Povetkin is probably the guy with more of a future, but as far as an evaluation of this fight and this price, Byrd (+400 at BetUS) is worth a small boxing betting play.

JAY'S PLAY: BYRD +400 ** (Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

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(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a former manager, matchmaker and color commentator in professional boxing. He currently pulls no punches in the BetUS Locker Room)