ESPN Fight Preview

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Alex Leapai

Early Saturday evening at 5 o'clock ESPN will be doing something out of character.  The network which usually airs up and coming fighters on their series Friday Night Fights on ESPN2 will change things up a bit.  On Saturday they will be airing a fight on regular ESPN between the heavyweight champion of the world, Wladimir Klitschko and challenger Alex Leapai.  The two men will battle it out for 12 rounds for Klitschko's WBO, IBF, and WBA championships belts. 

The action was horrible in Klitschko's last bout

There isn't any doubt that Klitschko is one of the most historic heavyweights of all-time and his championship run has been very impressive.  There is a lot of doubt though whether or not Klitschko can keep fans awake during his fights.  Klitschko is an orthodox fighter who keeps his left hand extremely low which makes his jab seem like it is coming out of his hip.  The problem is that he seems to do more clinching than punching.  Typically Klitschko will jab, clinch, and then land a few hard body shots which is an effective way to fight but not very fan friendly.  Klitschko isn't very good on defense and really his best defensive attribute is that he knows how to use his height to avoid punches.  His chin still remains a big question mark because in his three career losses all have been by knockout.  Don't expect to see many combinations from Klitschko but do expect to see the 6'6'' champion use his telephone pole like jab to win rounds and keep the much shorter Leapai at bay.

As far as heavyweight championship reigns go not many have been better than Klitschko's.  He hasn't lost a fight since 2004 and it doesn't look like he will anytime soon.  Klitschko's career record is an impressive 61-3 with a strong 51 knockouts but there is always still a chance he can get knocked out.  Klitschko hasn't been fighting a very high level of opposition in recent years but did take on a good fighter in his last bout in Alexander Povetkin.  Povetkin was able to frustrate Klitschko a little early but it didn't last as Klitschko jab and clinched his way to an easy victory.  If Klitschko wants to be remembered as one of the best heavyweights of all-time he not only needs to keep winning but he needs to start impressing fans, something he can start doing on Saturday night against Leapai.

Leapai will look to pull of a massive upset

Leapai will need to do anything he can not to become another Klitschko victim.  That will be easier said than done since Leapai doesn't exactly match up well against the champion.  The type of fighter who could beat Klitschko is an athletic fighter who moves around the ring a lot with the ability to slip punches and land power behind it while avoiding Klitschko's clinch.  Leapai is more of a slow moving, come forward heavyweight he doesn't slip many punches.  While Leapai has a good jab he often leans to the right when he throws it which leaves him wide open for a left hand counter.  Leapai does have a very powerful overhand right, a punch Povetkin had early success against Klitschko with but eventually Klitschko neutralized it and he will have an easier time doing that to Leapai who is even shorter than Povetkin.  On defense Leapai fights behind a high guard which should help him against Klitschko but he has also been knocked out twice in four losses and gets hit a lot.  Leapai will need to focus on avoiding the clinch because Klitschko will do a lot of damage to him on the inside.

There is absolutely no doubt that this will be the biggest fight of Leapai's career.  His best opponent thus far was Denis Boytsov but he isn't even in the same league as Klitschko.  As a professional Leapai has a record of 30-4-3 with 24 knockouts but this may be his only opportunity to ever really become a name in the heavyweight division.  

Unfortunately this fight could resemble Klitschko's last fight against Povetkin.  Leapai is a fighter who constantly comes forward and looks to land power punches which will not be easy to do with Klitschko popping the jab all night.  If Leapai is going to have any success it will come in the first three rounds before Klitschko starts to heat up.  Expect Klitschko to take control of the fight around round 3 and work his long jab to perfection.  Hopefully there isn't as much clinching as Klitschko's last fight which was unwatchable but as the saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

PREDICTION: Alex Leapai will give it his best shot but his best won't be enough.  Wladimir Klitschko is going to dominant this fight with his jab and body punching while in the clinch and end up winning by the way of 9th round stoppage.