My Predictions: The IBF Heavyweight Title Fight - Byrd or Klitschko

I'm going to start something new and try and keep track of my predictions for upcoming fights.  As such, there is a poll that will run for the fights I will be predicting - feel free to vote in it.  I want to see how often I can pick the winner, maybe even bet on a few fights.

The first prediction then, is the upcoming fight on 22 Apr 06 (tomorrow) between Wladimir Klitschko and Chris Byrd.  The winner of this fight will win the IBF heavyweight title and many believe, including the fighters, that it means they are the undisputed heavyweight champion.  They have fought before, with Byrd losing to Klitschko.  That was about five years ago, and Byrd is a different fighter now.  At that time, he was a much more defensive fighter trying to attack and then disappear.  Now, whether it is because he has slower reflexes or knows he can't really win standing on the outside, one can expect him to try and get inside and deliver short, quick blows - to exploit Klitschko's vulnerabilities.

Klitschko is a lot bigger and taller than Byrd (about 5 inches and 30 lbs).  However, in his last seven fights, he has been floored nine times.  In his most recent bout vs Samuel Peter he was knocked down three times.  To Klitschko's credit, it didn't deter him, he kept getting up and he ended up winning the fight by decision.  Klitschko also has an incredible left jab and knockout power.  Byrd doesn't possess the same kind of power that Klitschko does.

Byrd did go the distance with Klitschko in their last fight, but suffered two very swollen eyes because of it, and that was when he was quicker.  While he has shown he can stand and fight with some great fighters, I don't believe he has the power and speed he needs to stop Klitschko.  Klitschko, on the other hand is suffering from a string of knockdowns which surely can't be good for his frame of mind and needs to work on battling someone on the inside.  If he can keep Byrd out of his space and use his jab and power effectively, there will be no stopping him.

I think that if it comes to a decision Klitschko is going to win it and I don't think Byrd has the necessary power to knock Klitschko out.  Bigger fighters than Byrd have knocked him down and he has gotten right back up.  Therefore, my prediction to win the IBF heavyweight title is Wladimir Klitschko.  Further, there is a good chance he will knock out Byrd, but I don't think it will happen until the later rounds of the fight.  I predict a nine round finish to this one.

Feel free to disagree, I'd love to hear your predictions and if you want to take my advice, or not - Bet on the fight here.

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