What if Vitali's comeback opponent had been Jack Dempsey?

[BattlingNelson]

Vitali Klitschko made one of boxings most remarkable comebacks. After 4 years he came back to decisively KO reigning WBC champion Sam Peter.

In a way that scenario is somewhat equivalent of Jess Willard fighting Jack Dempsey. Willard had been out of action for 3 years.

Willard was 6'6?', 245 lbs.
Vitali was 6'7?', 247 lbs.

Jack Dempsey was 6'1'', 187 lbs.

[Boogie Nights]

Im a bigger fan of Dempsey than Vitali, Jack was still my idol growing up. With that said, speaking objectively, i dont see how Jack would be able to cope with Vitali's strength and size. Willard doesnt hold a candle to either Kltischko in terms of physical gifts or ability, so people who are going to say they expect another Dempsey-Willard type show (and i got a hunch quite a few posters will) they are obviously delusional and biased.

even Nat Fletcher who seen all the greats from the past said it himself that Willard was one of the worst champions he ever seen.

Sorry but i think Jack gets massacered in this one.

[TheGreatA]

Im a bigger fan of Dempsey than Vitali, Jack was still my idol growing up. With that said, speaking objectively, i dont see how Jack would be able to cope with Vitali's strength and size. Willard doesnt hold a candle to either Kltischko in terms of physical gifts or ability, so people who are going to say they expect another Dempsey-Willard type show (and i got a hunch quite a few posters will) they are obviously delusional and biased.

even Nat Fletcher who seen all the greats from the past said it himself that Willard was one of the worst champions he ever seen.

Sorry but i think Jack gets massacered in this one.

That had more to do with Willard's lack of interest in defending the title. Willard was a decent fighter, not among the best but not among the worst either. In truth there are a lot of comparisons between Willard and post-comeback Vitali.

I would give Dempsey a good chance of jumping Vitali early and surprising him. Peter was slow as molasses and clearly out of shape, with no determination whatsoever having already made his millions the moment he signed the contract. Dempsey was fast on his feet and came out like a bolt of lightning, and would have probably fought to death against Willard to escape a life of poverty.

Vitali hasn't impressed me too much since his comeback to be honest and I think a truly great contender could take him right now. The reflexes just aren't there anymore and he makes up for it by being in great condition and throwing a ton of punches for a man of his size and age, lacking the accuracy of his brother though.

[Boogie Nights]

That had more to do with Willard's lack of interest in defending the title. Willard was a decent fighter, not among the best but not among the worst either. In truth there are a lot of comparisons between Willard and post-comeback Vitali.

I would give Dempsey a good chance of jumping Vitali early and surprising him. Peter was slow as molasses and clearly out of shape, with no determination whatsoever having already made his millions the moment he signed the contract. Dempsey was fast on his feet and came out like a bolt of lightning, and would have probably fought to death against Willard to escape a life of poverty.

Vitali hasn't impressed me too much since his comeback to be honest and I think a truly great contender could take him right now. The reflexes just aren't there anymore and he makes up for it by being in great condition and throwing a ton of punches for a man of his size and age, lacking the accuracy of his brother though.

I would expect this from Dempsey, i dont for one second think that he would be scared of Vitali, so he'll charge forward regardless. He had that killer instinct but Dempsey didnt deal too well with boxers as it was evident against Tunney, and many will say that Jack was past his best years i still think that ringwise technicians always bothered him, even in his prime.

now Vitali may not be as fast as Tunney, but he certainly had shown a good ability to defend well against bull rushes on backfoot. Vitali can box and he can brawl, Jack only knows one way to fight. With Dempsey he'd know exactly what to expect. The fight may have shades of early rounds between Sanders vs Vitali.

Another thing about Jack is his whiskers. He joins the club of Louis, and Patterson as fighters that been down the most, and if i recall correctly Dempsey hit the deck on 17 different occasions, against lesser punchers than Vitali. Vitali doesnt have his brother's power but he has the ability to get the job done.

[Die Antwoord]

Vitali by voluntary manslaughter in the 2nd. Too big, too strong, too mean. He'd kill him dead in the ring. Man, I wish theyd sanction a fight with Vitali against a cruiser so youd see him kill someone in the ring. Vitali vs. Peter was really damn good, hence why this dude posts him against Gomez. Peter was considered pretty good, but Vitali beat him mercilessly and stopped him in 8.

[CarlosG815]

Vitali by voluntary manslaughter in the 2nd. Too big, too strong, too mean. He'd kill him dead in the ring. Man, I wish theyd sanction a fight with Vitali against a cruiser so youd see him kill someone in the ring. Vitali vs. Peter was really damn good, hence why this dude posts him against Gomez. Peter was considered pretty good, but Vitali beat him mercilessly and stopped him in 8.

Vitali is a truly awful boxer from any aspect you look at. He could not beat a solid contender and would lose to any top 20 atg heavyweight very convincingly.

[Scott9945]

Vitali is a truly awful boxer from any aspect you look at. He could not beat a solid contender and would lose to any top 20 atg heavyweight very convincingly.

Yeah, he is such an awful boxer that he has won almost every round of every fight he has been in. You are truly delusional if you don't think he'd beat anyone in the top 20.

[CarlosG815]

Yeah, he is such an awful boxer that he has won almost every round of every fight he has been in. You are truly delusional if you don't think he'd beat anyone in the top 20.

Who has he beat throughout his career to make me delusional and which top heavyweights in history would he beat?

[Scott9945]

Who has he beat throughout his career to make me delusional and which top heavyweights in history would he beat?

He would be a tough fight for every single one of them, and against fighters like Marciano, Dempsey, Patterson, etc. it would be a physical mismatch. You don't have to like the guy, but at least be realistic.

[CarlosG815]

He would be a tough fight for every single one of them, and against fighters like Marciano, Dempsey, Patterson, etc. it would be a physical mismatch. You don't have to like the guy, but at least be realistic.

Those are all superior fighters and to think because he has 5+ inches and 50 pounds on those guys that he will automatically win would have cost you dearly had you bet on Jess Willard when he fought Dempsey, or the supersize heavy's that Tyson dealt with in the 80's. Size isn't everything. Power comes in all sizes, and speed and combination's play a big part in winning a fight. I believe he has a hard time landing on Marciano, Dempsey and Patterson, and add the fact that they are better fighters stylistically and they have more heart and a better chin, they wouldn't have much trouble at all dealing with either Klitschko.

They are slow, robotic, no footwork, etc. I've seen every fight of theirs over the last 10 years and have never seen any film that tells me they could beat any top ATG heavyweights of the past.