Part of the beauty of boxing is that thousands of people can watch the same fight and still develop different opinions on what they’re witnessing. Both infuriating and satisfying at different times, the subjective nature of the sport can often matter more than what the fighters actually bring to the ring. One needs look no further than the first match-up between Yoan Pablo Hernandez and Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham for such an example.

Whether or not justice was served in the sixth round stoppage back in October 2011 that cost then-champion Cunningham the IBF Cruiserweight title can be debated. But, that match now potentially becomes but a mere footnote thanks to one of the greatest elements of the sport boxing: the rematch.

Credit: Team Sauerland

In some instances, the first match is so enthralling (and profitable) that the scenario absolutely begs for a return engagement between the two combatants.  A rematch is not only good for the fighters but great for the fans and the sport, in the best scenarios.  In other situations, however, the rematch may simply be a matter of correcting the inequities—real or perceived—of the past.  In Cunningham-Hernandez II, the fans are getting a little bit of both, which should make for a very intriguing fight.

• When: February 4, 2012
• Where: Fraport Arena, Frankfurt, Germany
• Undercard: Co-main event Enad Licina (21-3, 11 KOs) vs. Alexander Alexeev (22-2, 20 KOs) for vacant European Cruiserweight championship; European Light Heavyweight champion Eduard Gutknecht (22-1, 9 KOs) defends against Viacheslav Uzelkov (25-1, 16 KOs)

The Pugs and The Prize

IBF Cruiserweight Champion - Yoan Pablo Hernandez (25-1, 13 KOs)

• Height: 6’4”
• Nationality: Cuban
• Age: 27
• Fighting out of: Halle an der Saale, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
• Stance: Southpaw

Challenger - Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (24-3, 12 KOs)

• Height: 6’3”
• Age: 35
• Nationality: U.S.A.
• Fighting out of: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Stance: Orthodox

---> Take a look at where Cunningham ranks amongst the all-time best cruiserweights in boxing history

On the line will be Hernandez’s IBF Cruiserweight title, as well as the vacant Ring magazine Cruiserweight championship.  The latter strap was added following former champion Marco Huck’s move up to the heavyweight ranks and his mandatory relinquishment of the title.

Hernandez vs. Cunningham II Preview

October 1, 2011, Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg, Germany: Hernandez won a technical decision when the first fight was stopped in the sixth round.  The determination was made jointly by referee Mickey Vann and ringside doctor Walter Wagner that the cuts suffered by Hernandez—attributed to accidental head butts earlier in the bout—posed the potential of bleeding into his eye and dangerously obscuring his vision.  At the time, however, it appeared that the cuts had been managed successfully and were not actively impeding Hernandez’s sight.  Regardless, the fight was stopped, the referee went to the scorecards and Hernandez walked away as IBF Cruiserweight champion.

Controversy soon arose when Cunningham openly questioned the legitimacy of the decisions of the referee and ringside physician.  A semblance of legitimacy was given to Cunningham’s claims when the IBF quickly ordered a rematch only eleven days after the original bout.  The determination by the sanctioning body, as conveyed by its president, Darryl Peoples, was that an “improper stoppage of the title fight” occurred.

The Analysis

Hernandez has had his pride insulted and the legitimacy of his title win called into question, which hasn’t settled well with the southpaw.  It was a fortuitously placed left hook to the rear quarter of the skull coming out of an inside scrum that fell Cunningham in the first bout, and the champ would be wise to look for similar openings again. Cunningham is going to keep his hands up throughout the fight and force Hernandez to beat him, again, on the cards.

Look for Hernandez to find a way to force Cunningham’s hands down, likely working on the inside and focusing on more bodyshots than the first bout and, perhaps, an errant low blow or two.  Hernandez will need to once again get off to a quick start, utilize his hook from the left side and initiate the offense.

At 35, Cunningham is a challenger motivated by both drive to regain a title he believes was stolen from him, as well as the unforgiving nature of time.  Still, he doesn’t seem concerned with currying any favor with the IBF, as evidenced by his public criticisms of the officiating and medical staff.  Unfazed by how this could impact his chances were the rematch to once again be left in the hands of the officials, Cunningham is simply focused on proving he’s the better fighter and that the first match setback was less about skill than it was a comity of errors.

To those ends, Cunningham will have to temper his approach to this second fight and stick with what got him there in the first place.  At times, he was overly patient in the first bout, but that’s very likely attributed to being knocked down early and barely answering the ten-count.  Cunningham’s jab will once again be his best punch and the lynchpin of his attack. Look for him to exploit the southpaw’s zealousness from the left side and land a couple of heavy hooks or straight rights to the champ’s chin.

Hernandez vs. Cunningham II Prediction

The sad truth for Cunningham is that the fight probably not only shouldn’t have been stopped the first time around, but a strong argument can be made that he possibly should’ve been ahead on the cards.  Recovering from the round one drop, Cunningham was precise and defensive the remainder of the first bout, while Hernandez seemed to be losing steam as the night wore on.

Overall, the rematch should be a very closely contested fight, with both men attacking more from a defensive position of not wanting to make an exposable mistake rather than looking for the knockout. If that’s the case, the bout should play right into Cunningham’s corner. His experience and patience in the ring should allow him to dictate the flow of the fight, assuming he can stay off the canvas early.

Hernandez may not be capable of pacing himself to the point of matching Cunningham’s meticulous nature, and that will cost him in the later rounds.  This time, victory will quite literally be in the cards for “U.S.S.”.  Look for Cunningham to capture the Ring strap that eluded him in 2008 and regain the IBF belt heading into the mandated defense, and another rematch, against ProBoxing-fans.com’s eighth-ranked Cruiserweight in the world, Troy Ross, later this year.

Prediction: Steve Cunningham via split decision.

Ortiz & Berto Roundtable Fighter Interviews

Each fighter gives his thoughts about what's coming up, why or why not the rematch should be taking place, and what happened in the first meeting. Ortiz feels the rematch wasn't really necessary, as the first fight wasn't even close. But Berto talks about having Ortiz hurt on several occasions, and how he dropped his welterweight strap just for the purpose of putting this fight together, so he's motivated and taking it very seriously to be certain.

Official Ortiz-Berto II Promo Video

This is the quick-hitting, official 30 second Ortiz vs. Berto II video promo from Showtime. Their first "epic thriller" of course was televised by HBO last April. But the rematch is on Showtime in a month, and they're proud to be offering this hopefully just-as-thrilling rematch. Check out their commercial and official fight preview video.

Keep on coming back to ProBoxing-Fans.com all day, every day, for continuous breaking boxing news.

Klitschko-Chisora Video from London Presser

As you can see, both guys are confident of their victory in the upcoming fight, and were having some fun at one another's expense. The two guys seem to like one another - but hopefully their boasts and claims are delivered on fight night and they put the friendly maneuvers and lighthearted jests aside to get down to business.

Photos from Vitali Klitschko & Dereck Chisora Press Conference

Fighter Quotes

Vitali Klitschko: “I am proud to have the title that Lennox Lewis, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson had, and I will not give it away. It is only myself who can give it back to the WBC. When Chisora hits the floor nobody will have any doubts who is the winner.”

Dereck Chisora: “I will knock Klitschko out in round 8 and I will be the next king of the heavyweight division. I dont want to make him retire, I just want to beat him.”

The WBC title match between Vitali Klitschko and Dereck Chisora will take place at the Olympiahalle Munich, Germany on February 18, 2012.

Opening up the live televised portion of the card will be an intriguing eight-round junior middleweight match-up between a pair of 2008 National Golden Gloves champions, Steven Martinez (11-0, 9KO's) and Denis Douglin (13-1, 8KO's).  ESPN2/ESPN3 will begin live coverage at 9PM ET.

Scheduled to see action on the untelevised undercard are three very promising fighters on the DBE roster, world-rated lightweight contender (WBC #11) Dannie Williams (20-1, 16KO's), undefeated up-and-coming middleweight prospect J'Leon Love (9-0, 6KO's), and Cleveland, Ohio's Willie Nelson (16-1-1, 10KO's).

Williams, who, like Nelson, is co-promoted by Rumble Time Promotions, is two fights removed from his one-punch, highlight reel knockout over Antonio Cervantes on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" last August.  The 27-year-old Williams is looking forward to a big 2012 and hoping to lock in a title shot by the end of the year.  But he must first take care of business against Fernando Trejo (33-17-6, 19KO's) in their eight-round lightweight match-up.

The Detroit-native Love, who now lives and trains in the boxing hotbed of Las Vegas, NV, has thus far steamrolled through the competition.  All six of his knockouts have come in two rounds or less and, in his most recent victory, Love pitched a shutout decision in his first scheduled six-rounder last October on the undercard of Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez' defense against Darren Barker at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.  Love also recently served as one of the lead sparring partners for Antonio Margartio before Margarito's rematch against Miguel Cotto back on December 3, 2011.  Love is set to square off against Eli Augustama (5-3, 3KO's).  The bout is scheduled for six rounds in the middleweight division.

Nelson is looking to get back in the win column after suffering his first defeat as a pro via eight-round majority decision loss to Vincent Arroyo on Showtime in April of last year.  Nelson will take on Brad Jackson (13-7-1, 7KO's) in a six-round welterweight match-up.

Undefeated prospect Luis Ramos Jr. (left) tipped the scales at 134.8 pounds and hard-hitting Raymundo Beltran (right) measured 134.2 pounds during Thursday’s weigh in at Lit Lounge at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.

Ramos Jr. (20-0, 9 KOs), of Santa Ana, Calif., will face the toughest test of his career in Beltran (25-5, 17 KOs), of North Hollywood, Calif., in a 10-round lightweight main event of the first SHOWTIME^® boxing telecast of 2012, this Friday, Jan. 6, on ShoBox: The New Generation, live at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Ramos Jr. and Beltran will face off for the NABA USA Lightweight Title in the main event at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.  Ramos is a stablemate of IBF bantamweight champion and WBC Silver Bantamweight Champion Abner Mares.  In Beltran’s last ShoBox appearance he lost a debatable decision to undefeated prospect Sharif Bogere in an all-action fight on May 13, 2011.

Undefeated lightweight prospect Michael Perez (left) weighed in at 134.6 pounds and fellow unbeaten prospect Omar Figueroa (right) measured 134.4 pounds.  Perez (15-0-1, 9 KOs), of Newark, N.J., and Figueroa (13-0-1, 10 KOs), of Weslaco, Texas, will square off in a 10-round battle for the WBO Inter-Continental Youth Lightweight Title in the co-feature of an all-lightweight ShoBox.

Ramos vs. Beltran and Perez vs. Figueroa are presented by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T.  Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com. Doors at Fantasy Springs will open at 6 p.m. PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 6:30 p.m. PT.

For his part, the champion is widely derided as only having gone right to the WBC's green strap because of his famous name, pointedly avoiding top opposition along the way. Marco Antonio Rubio was not well-regarded until April 2011, when he shocked the sport by upsetting and stopping undefeated David Lemieux. Now ranked #6 and #5 respectively, Chavez and Rubio are finally getting their due, and whoever wins February 4th can surely expect to be taken much seriously in the future.

Marco Antonio Rubio (53-5-1, 46 KOs)
5'10", 70" reach, 31 years old
Mexican
Former Mexican Light Middleweight and Middleweight Champion

Rubio is a rugged Mexican boxer-puncher who can crack with both hands. Against the highly-touted Lemieux (Rubio was an 8-1 underdog in that fight), "El Veneo" used good defense and a stiff jab to keep the Canadian banger at bay and look for opportunities to safely retaliate. In addition to good power and good skills, Rubio also has a solid chin. He slugged with Kelly Pavlik, and while his corner threw in the towel in the 9th, Rubio was still on his feet at the end of the night. Rubio absorbed Lemieux's onslaught as well.

Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (44-0-1, 31 KOs)
6'0", 73" reach, 25 years old
Mexican
Current (fake)* WBC Middleweight Champion

Credit: Rafael Soto/Top Rank

Chavez proved himself as a well-rounded, solid boxer-puncher last year. He has gone from feasting on John Duddy to knocking out Peter Manfredo, Jr. and eeking out a decision over Sebastian Zbik. He has a busy, come-forward style aimed at maximizing his strength and hitting power, and marked by good footwork.

Although his defense isn't the best, Chavez has shown a durable chin thus far. He gets hit, but not with anything that has shaken him to the ankles yet. The Zbik fight in particular proved that good boxers won't stall him (at least not from the stand-up Continental school).

Chavez Jr. vs. Rubio Preview & Analysis

Chavez is the younger, quicker man in this match-up, and I think he is also the more confident and even slightly more experienced than Rubio. After all, while El Veneo is riding a wave right now, JCC, Jr. is undefeated and solidifying his place in the division. Although Rubio has fought more names, he has lost to all of them except Lemieux, while Chavez remains undefeated. Rubio and Chavez are about equal in the power department.

The only area where Rubio has a clear cut advantage over Chavez is durability and chin. Chavez hasn't been phased by anything thrown at him so far, but the hardest banger he has fought was John Duddy, who frankly isn't a big puncher. Rubio has eaten punches from Kelly Pavlik and David Lemieux, and both of those men hit harder than Chavez (in Pavlik's case, much harder). I therefore doubt Chavez has anything that will phase Rubio.

Chavez Jr. vs. Rubio Prediction

In a battle between two boxers, you pick the slicker guy. In a battle between two punchers, you pick the best catcher. What about a battle between two boxer-punchers?

The smart play for Chavez is to use his superior movement to stay away from Rubio, and pot shot from a distance. Despite his defensive deficits, Chavez has the speed and mobility to outbox Rubio, who can't simply bowl in there due to Chavez's power. However, Chavez doesn't have macht to stop Rubio from following him around, and the older Mexican has a good jab of his own and solid point defense. I expect Rubio to start catching Chavez and opening up on him after a couple of rounds, and sooner or later one of two things will happen: either Chavez will go from sticking and moving to getting on his bicycle and running, or a brawl will break out.

Who wins this fight depends entirely on when that brawl starts and how long it lasts. If the two Mexicans go to war in the center-ring early, or if Chavez isn't able to take control of the fight back, Rubio will exploit Chavez's porous defense to win rounds and possibly even win by knockout. If Chavez can stymie Rubio for most of the fight, or can take back control of the action after losing it, he can box his way into winning most of the rounds.

It's a close fight to call, but I favor Chavez by a nose.

Prediction: Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. SD12 Marco Antonio Rubio

* Chavez, Jr.'s reign as WBC Middleweight Champion will remain open to question until he meets and defeats the man his title was stolen from, Sergio Martinez.

Photo credit: Craig Bennett/Goossen Tutor Promotions

"I want people outside of boxing and new fans coming in to know just how hard I work, and how much work all fighters put in," Chambers said. "I believe that the Heavyweight Championship is the most coveted title in sports. Everyone loves a Gladiator and that is what boxing is about. NBC Sports Network stepping up to the table will hopefully get fans to take a look at the sport once again and jump on the band wagon. This is exactly what we need. I know when the fans tune in January 21st they will not be disappointed."

Chambers continued, "I am training extremely hard and it is great having the opportunity to be fighting back in front of your fans, your people, and knowing that most of the people that are there in the crowd are for you." He went on to say that he loves fighting in places like Germany, but there is no place like home.

Boxing has been in Eddie Chamber's blood since he was a child growing up in Pittsburgh. His father, Eddie Chambers Sr. was a boxer back in the 1970s. Eddie Sr. taught his son how to hold his hands properly to throw a punch at the tender age of 9. Starting around the age of 12, Eddie Sr. would sit with Eddie and watch films of all the great fighters such as "Sugar" Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, and of course Muhammad Ali. After two years of arguing with his father to allow him to box, Eddie Jr. finally got the chance at the age of 14 when he enrolled in a local Pittsburgh Golden Gloves Tournament.

Eddie turned professional at the age of 18 on December 29, 2000. He defeated Tyrone Austin by second round knockout in West Virginia. His next professional fight occurred just two months later in his now adopted hometown of Philadelphia, PA one of the best boxing cities in the world and the ultimate proving ground for young, up-and-coming fighters.

When I was 18 and 19, I was fighting at the Blue Horizon," Chambers said. Those were some of the toughest fights I have ever had and there was so much pressure to do well. The crowd always gives you their best and there is so much history. Philadelphia has the best fans, but they will definitely let you know how they feel. There are so many great venues around the city and such great history. I want to make my own history and be among the greatest."

On March 20, 2010, Chambers took on Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf, Germany for the WBO, IBF, and IBO Heavyweight Championship of the World. Chambers gave a valiant effort and performance in the ring before losing via knockout in the waning seconds of the fight. At 6'1, 210 lbs, Chambers gave up five inches and nearly 35 pounds to Klitschko. Chambers posed a challenge to Klitschko with speed and toughness that nearly carried Chambers the distance of the fight. Chambers was the first person in two years to make it to the twelfth round against the tough Ukrainian.

Chambers did not fight again until February 11, 2011, when he took on a former opponent who he knocked out a few years earlier in Derric Rossy. In an IBF Title Eliminator, Chambers defeated Rossy once again, this time by unanimous decision.

Looking toward his upcoming challenge, Chambers describes Liakhovich as a good fighter who fought a great match when he won the title by beating Lamon Brewster in 2006. "Liakhovich is a very competitive and very live opponent. I think our style match up will make for a very exciting fight. Right now Liakhovich is in my way. I always respect my opponent, but I have to knock him out of the way. I plan on doing that and taking care of business on January 21st in impressive fashion."

Promoted by Main Events, Peltz Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor, the non-televised undercard fights will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $45 and $65 can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing, (215) 765-0922.

Taylor, (28-4-1, 17 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark., is a former undisputed middleweight champion who’ll be making his first start in 26 months when he meets Jessie Nicklow (22-2-3, 8 KOs) of Baltimore, Md., in the main event of a tripleheader. It will be Taylor’s first fight since losing to Arthur Abraham in the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Oct. 17, 2009.

Dirrell (19-1, 13 KOs), of Flint, Mich., hasn’t fought since March 27, 2010, when he won by 11th-round disqualification over Abraham in the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Dirrell’s first fight in 21 months will be against Darryl Cunningham (24-2, 10 KOs), of Detroit, who has won 17 in-a-row.

In the opening bout of the telecast, former Cuban amateur standout Luis “El Leon” Garcia (11-0, 9 KOs) of Cork, Ireland, makes his United States debut when he takes on southpaw Alexander “The Great” Johnson (12-0, 5 KOs, 1 NC) of Oxon Hill, Md., in an eight-round showdown of undefeated light heavyweights.

Garcia, who turned 24 on Dec. 23, is a former world amateur champion. Johnson outpointed previously unbeaten Farah Ennis (17-0 going in) two starts ago on April 2, 2011.

What the fighters said Thursday:

Jermain Taylor

“I feel totally different today than I ever have the day of the weigh-in before a fight. I’m not irritable. I didn’t have to dry out. I feel calm and at peace.

“I feel so different because finally, for the first time, I did it right. I put in the hours training in the gym. I did my job and worked hard. I don’t have to drop a bunch of weight. I ate pasta the other night, steak and eggs the other morning. I never could do that before.

“This is the first time I can say that I am entering a fight knowing that I’m in shape. I’m ready to fight.’’

Jessie Nicklow

“I know why they want to fight me. They think I’m too small, that I’m a natural junior middleweight. But they’re making a big mistake. I’m not a steppingstone.

“I’m really confident for this. I don’t think Taylor has that confidence. He’s been off two years. I’ve had four fights, two this year, but I’ve never been out of the gym. I definitely feel I can stay close (inside) and fight my style of fight

“My game plan is always the same – to hit my opponent in the face. I’m not changing anything just because I’m fighting a former world champion. Let’s see what he’s got to offer. I know what I’m bringing.

“I’m really looking forward to this.’’

Andre Dirrell

“I have never felt as excited for a fight since I turned pro. I’m really psyched up.

“There’s going to be ring rust, of course. I just don’t want to show it. I’ve trained really hard. I trained through the holidays. It all begins again for me Friday night.

“I want to win, look good, and then go after all the super middleweights. I’m not ducking anybody. I will fight any of the 168-pounders in the world except for my brother, Anthony. People want to see me and Andre Ward fight. All I can continue to say is that that fight will definitely happen.’’

Darryl Cunningham

“I’m going to have fun. I appreciate Team Dirrell giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills, and I will showcase my skills on Friday.

“This is such a great opportunity. I just can’t lose and not take advantage of it.

“Lots of people have never given me my due. They look where I come from, my background, the fact my Dad’s a pastor. They’ve always said the “Church Boy” couldn’t make it in boxing because he was too nice a guy and too much of a family man.

“This is my chance to prove them, and everybody else wrong.’’

Luis Garcia

“It’s always been my dream to fight in the U.S., and I’m very excited that now it is happening and that it is on SHOWTIME.

“I really want to win and leave a good impression so I can fight in the states all the time. I don’t know anything about the guy I’m fighting. What I do know is that I will give my best.’’

Alexander Johnson

“This is a great opportunity for me, fighting on SHOWTIME on such a great card like this. I am determined to come in and show what I am made of and what I can do.

“He may be a bigger name and have the credentials, but that all changes tomorrow.

“After tomorrow, when someone mentions my name, the question isn’t going to be, “who is he?’’

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com/.

Ramos vs. Beltran and Perez vs. Figueroa are presented by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T and will be televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME.

Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com. Doors at Fantasy Springs will open at 6:00pm PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 6:30pm PT.

A native of Newark, New Jersey, 21-year-old phenom Michael "The Artist" Perez (15-0-1, 9 KO's) went from local hero to one of the brightest prospects in boxing with four statement-making knockout victories in 2011. Included in these four knockouts were wins over then 24-4 Ira Terry and then 24-8 Tyrone Harris, proving that the former National Golden Gloves Champion was ready for primetime as a professional and on Jan. 6, he will get his chance to shine on ShoBox against fellow prospect Figueroa.

22-year-old Omar "Panterita" Figueroa (13-0-1, 10 KO's) is a ferocious puncher whose ability to take out any opponent in his path at any time has made him a fan favorite in his home state of Texas. In 2011, the Weslaco native took his show on the road, sandwiching a June decision win over Eric Cruz in Hidalgo with out of town knockouts over John Figueroa and Marcos Herrera in Los Angeles and Chicago, respectively. On Jan. 6, he'll continue his U.S. tour with a bout in Indio against Perez.

Credit: Miika Forsstrom

Dereck Chisora (15-2, 9 KOs)
6'1 1/2" tall, 74" reach, 244 lbs, 27 years old
British
Former British and Commonwealth Champion

Dereck Chisora was once a hot, rising prospect in the British heavyweight boxing picture, but I think he can be safely categorized as a fringe contender for the time being. If you count his close, Split Decision loss to Robert Helenius as a win (and many do), he is 1-1 in fights with other prospects, due to his clean loss to Tyson Fury. "Del Boy" is a busy, capable fighter, but not top tier contender material.

Vitali Klitschko (43-2, 40 KOs)
6'7 1/2" tall, 80" reach, 247 lbs, 40 years old
Ukrainian
Two-time and current WBC Heavyweight Champion

Credit: www.k-mg.com

Dr. Ironfist needs little introduction. His second reign as WBC champ started in 2008, and Klitschko the Elder has dominated every opponent put in the ring with him since. He fights in the stand-up, linear Continental style, but brings an uncommon fluidity and savagery to it. It certainly helps that Klitschko is one of the biggest, strongest and hardest hitting boxers on the planet. Most of his fights boil down to watching big brother Klitschko sticking a punishing jab from a distance and firing an anti-tank missile of a straight right from way down-range, and then coming forward to put the hurt down the moment the opponent shows the slightest vulnerability.

Klitschko vs. Chisora Preview and Analysis

Chisora has one hope, and one hope alone. Vitali Klitschko has always been injury-prone, and he is now 40 years old. There is the very real possibility if Chisora can make Klitschko work hard enough in finding him and putting leather on him, Klitschko will hurt himself in the process. I don't have much expectation of that happening, however.

Chisora is a reasonably big guy, but not big enough to stand in with Dr. Ironfist. "Del Boy" also isn't anywhere near the skilled, gritty boxer that Tomasz Adamek is, so it's not like Klitschko will have a hard time finding the mark for his lance-like jab.

In the end, I expect Vitali Klitschko will do what he has been doing his whole career (sans the Lennox Lewis and Chris Byrd losses).

Klitschko vs. Chisora Prediction: Vitali Klitschko TKO10