COMPUBOX PRE-FIGHT ANALYSIS

Champion Klitschko, 46-3, 41 ko's, nearly a 4-1 favorite in the first defense of his version of the heavyweight title vs. the undefeated (29-0, 22 ko's) Brock, looking to join Shannon Briggs as the second U.S.-born heavyweight to win a belt in the last two weeks.

In April, defending champ Chris Byrd foolishly fought a "big man's" fight vs. Wladdy and left Germany minus his heavyweight title. Byrd, who's never seen a fight card he wouldn't consider attending, stood in front of Klitschko all night. As a result, he was clubbed to the canvas in round five and again in the seventh before the end came :41 into the round.

To get to Byrd, whom he also decisioned in 2000, Wladimir had to first get past Nigerian power puncher Sam Peter last September. He did, but it wasn't pretty. Wladimir survived three knockdowns (twice in 5th, again in 10th), clinching and holding his way to a 114-111 3x decision win. Wladdy's smothering tactics allowed the ko-happy Peter to land an average of just six power shots per round- half the heavyweight average. When Wladdy wasn't clinching he was mostly jabbing. Of his 44 total punches per round, 32 were jabs. He landed 34%. He also landed 52% of the 12 power shots he threw per round, 10% higher than the heavyweight average. He nearly dropped Mt. Peter with a thunderous left hook in the last round.

In April of '04, Klitschko, an 8-1 favorite, beat Lamon Brewster like he stole something from him for twelve minutes (outlanding the absorbent Brewster 109-28), before hitting the wall in the 5th. Brewster was credited with two knockdowns before the end came at the end of the 5th.

Wladimir had an impressive 2002, scoring ko wins over Frans Botha (KO 8), Ray Mercer (KO 6) and Jameel McCline (KO 10). He outlanded the unwilling McCline & Mecer 376-115. Next up was southpaw scratch-golfer and part time fighter Corrie Sanders. Two minutes into round one, Klitschko, who was defending his wbo title for the 6th time, was on the canvas, courtesy of a Sanders left hand. Another left put Wladdy on all fours as the round ended. Two more knockdowns followed inside :30 of round two and the fight was over.

Klitschko took a five-month vacation before returning to score a first round ko of Fabio Moli. He then stopped Danell Nicholson in four rounds 4 months later.

In October of '04, Wladdy was having his way with Davarryl Williamson (who was ko'd by Joe Mesi in 1:46)) before getting dropped in round four courtesy of a Williamson right hand. He was fighting back by the end of the round before a clash of heads left Wladimir with a cut above his right eye. They went to the scorecards with Klitschko ahead 49-46 on 2 cards, Williamson 48-47 on the third card.

What will Brock and former heavyweight champ Bonecrusher Smith have in common should Brock defeat Klitschko? They'll be the only heavyweight champs to earn college degrees. That, and unbelievably, Brock would join Smith as the only challengers in the 30 heavyweight title fights fought at New York's Madison Square Garden to leave the ring with a title. Smith ko'd the uninspired defending champ Tim Witherspoon in the first round of their 1986 title fight. James Toney's 2005 decision win over champ John Ruiz was later changed to a no contest after Toney tested positive for steroids. All other challengers have failed fighting in the world's most famous arena.

Briggs would never have gotten his shot at Liakhovich had he not been jerked around in his attempt to challenge Klitschko. Enter Calvin Brock, who looked less than spectacular last June while scoring a twelve-round decision win over the reluctant Timur Ibragimov in what was billed as an IBF title eliminator Timid-Timur threw just 27 punches per round, landing a measley 5 per three minutes. Brock actually threw two less punches in the 100+ degree desert heat, but did land 45 more. Win today, look good (and dance) tomorrow.

Four months earlier, he was sleepwalking (not dancing) through five rounds of his fight vs. the 20-10-4 Zuri Lawrence, before landing a single left hook in the sixth round that put Lawrence down for the count. Lawrence, who has zero ko's in his 36 professional fights, stunned Brock with a right hand moments before Brock landed his homerun shot that left Lawrence unconscious before he hit the canvas. Brock landed just 25% of his 57 punches per round and only 11% of his 22 jabs per round.

Brock landed 38% of his 47 punches per round round in his decision win over trial horse David Bostice in November of '05. He landed 42% of his power shots, rocking the feather-fisted Bostice in the first round and again in rounds 11 & 12.

Brock's most impressive performance came in his decision win over title-challenger Jameel McCline (a common opponent of his & Klitschko), who outweighed him by 47 pounds. An 8-5 underdog, Brock landed 37% of his 49 punches per round. He was dropped early in round seven, then pulled himself together to actually rally in the last minute of the round, prompting two judges to score the round 10-9 McCline (rather than the customary 10-8)

Brock landed 180 of 488 total punches (37%) vs. McCline, who landed 142 of 455 (31%). It wasn't so much what Klkitschko did vs. McCline (landing 183 of 433 total punches (42%), it was more about what the totally intimidated McCline was unable (or unwilling) to do. Jameel landed just 61 total punches over ten rounds, throwing just 31 per round.

Trainer-supreme Manny Steward, who's been with Wladimir since his upset ko loss to Lamon Brewster, has Klitschko fighting with renewed confidence (and stamina). He's exercising less and spending more time "in the ring". However, it seems his stamina and chin (or lack thereof) will always be questioned.

Brock does everything well, but nothing outstanding. He stays within his envelope, rarely throwing more than 55 punches in any round. He's dangerous when hurt, witness the seventh round vs. McCline and the sixth round vs. Lawrence. His best asset may be his defense. Ibragimov, Lawrence, Bostice and McCline (not exactly murderers row) landed just 22% of their total punches, 16% lower than the heavyweight average. They also landed an average of just two jabs per round- a number Klitschko should surpass in the fight's opening seconds.

McCline and Klitschko both are listed at 6'6", but that's where the similarities end. Klitschko has a better jab and hits much, much harder. Unlike Brock, he's been on the big stage before. Klitschko should control the fight with his jab, dress Brock with right crosses then matters in the late rounds with his left hook.