Do you think Wlad will be remembered as a great?

[oldgringo]

Good post. IMO - He is fun to watch. You never know whats going to happen, but chances are someones going down.

For all his flaws, he truly is a gifted offensive fighter. His short left hook of the jab is something I've never seen in another heavyweight, and he KO's people with it.

I agree that Wlad is a very skilled boxer and all, but I definitely wouldn't say he's fun or exciting to watch.

His bout with Peter summed it all up. Peter made the fight exciting by knocking Wlad down and charging after him like a maniac. Wlad fought a SMART fight, but he looked like he was trying to do his best Ruiz impression by holding after he'd throw a combo. He held quite a bit...which was smart, but it was still ugly. Only in the 12th round when Peter caught him with a good shot, Wlad took it, and then dished out that big left hook that buckled Peter's legs was there any excitement that he generated (in my opinion).

[BLOODSHED]

He's fun and exciting to watch, because he could go at any moment.

His skill is neutralized by his chin. He can throw great combos and all it takes is one decent shot to that chin, and well, it's lights out.

I agree that Wlad is a very skilled boxer and all, but I definitely wouldn't say he's fun or exciting to watch.

His bout with Peter summed it all up. Peter made the fight exciting by knocking Wlad down and charging after him like a maniac. Wlad fought a SMART fight, but he looked like he was trying to do his best Ruiz impression by holding after he'd throw a combo. He held quite a bit...which was smart, but it was still ugly. Only in the 12th round when Peter caught him with a good shot, Wlad took it, and then dished out that big left hook that buckled Peter's legs was there any excitement that he generated (in my opinion).

[Run]

He's fun and exciting to watch, because he could go at any moment.

His skill is neutralized by his chin. He can throw great combos and all it takes is one decent shot to that chin, and well, it's lights out.

Yeah but you act like people are immune to his punches.

You refer to the Sanders and Brewster fight, but you never mention fights where he knocked opponents out.

He's only been the distance in a fight three times in his career.

Yeah 3 losses by stoppage. 40k.o.'s in 45 fights though.



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[oldgringo]

He's fun and exciting to watch, because he could go at any moment.

His skill is neutralized by his chin. He can throw great combos and all it takes is one decent shot to that chin, and well, it's lights out.

Yes, but would you say that his fights with Brewster or Peter were in the least bit exciting because of him?

I know it takes two to tango, but the Brewster fight was exciting because Lamon took so much punishment only to storm back and knock him out. Peter made the fight exciting by knocking Wlad down and charging after him like a maniac. Maybe I'm just not giving Wlad credit for showing up, but his style of fighting usually doesn't entertain me. I do respect his offensive skills however.

EDIT: The fights in which he has beaten his opponents (pre-sanders) weren't very exciting to me because he just uses his natural advantages and beats the **** out of his opponents. I did liek when he beat Byrd to a pulp though.

[BLOODSHED]

Well, how many fights has he been in/lost since he's been tested against Sanders? He had 35 wins in Germany/Ukraine where he was being fed cupcakes. Sanders was supposed to be a cupcake, but unfortunately to his opportunistic team, Sanders still had some left.

That's the real question. Sanders cracked Wlad confidence. And well, exposed the fighter that he really was. Not the fighter that Germany/Ukraine wanted and were building him up to be.

What you're seeing today is the true Wlad. The Wlad that fought Purity was high off hype and momentum. Sanders brought him down to earth and people realized he wasn't the next great champ.

Yeah but you act like people are immune to his punches.

You refer to the Sanders and Brewster fight, but you never mention fights where he knocked opponents out.

He's only been the distance in a fight three times in his career.

Yeah 3 losses by stoppage. 40k.o.'s in 45 fights though.

[Pno]

what will determine if he's great or not is whether he can fully recover from having his mental state challenged by the severe losses. That and a needed HW dominance for some period of time.

[BLOODSHED]

Well said. Well said. Karma to you.

(No, Peter and Brewster made those fights interesting. Look at his fight against Castillo... boring and FIXED.)

Yeah, the pre-Sanders fights all had the cards stacked for Wlad. And especially in corrupt ass Germany, he just knew he couldn't lose.

Remember when HBO first starting showing the Klitschkos? Remember Wlad was the better one? Yeah, he was the "cuter" one, which meant he was better than Vitali.

My ass. And if I could have been able to distinguish the two then, I would have known Vitali was always better.

But it's a shame, because Wlad is the one of the two brothers still most liked and still hyped.

Yes, but would you say that his fights with Brewster or Peter were in the least bit exciting because of him?

I know it takes two to tango, but the Brewster fight was exciting because Lamon took so much punishment only to storm back and knock him out. Peter made the fight exciting by knocking Wlad down and charging after him like a maniac. Maybe I'm just not giving Wlad credit for showing up, but his style of fighting usually doesn't entertain me. I do respect his offensive skills however.

EDIT: The fights in which he has beaten his opponents (pre-sanders) weren't very exciting to me because he just uses his natural advantages and beats the **** out of his opponents. I did liek when he beat Byrd to a pulp though.

[Pno]

Vitali is better in the sense that he's one of the only boxers in history, if not the only, that has never been knocked down. So his chin is a lot better than Wlad. But Wlad's offensive skill is better as Vitali's defensive skill is better.

[GoldenBoy23]

If he beats byrd, wins the belts and avenges his brothers loss, then maybe a couple of more wins and yeah he will be!

[Run]

Sanders brought him down to earth and people realized he wasn't the next great champ.

See that's what I dont understand....is that line of thinking.

Lennox Lewis even said himself directly quoted "We're in the Heavyweight Business. 1 Punch can end the fight."

Heavyweights hit hard as ****. It takes a phenomenal chin Holy or like a Ray Mercer to withstand big punches.

He has a shot at the IBF belt so lets not get stir crazy yet about him not being a champ. I'm sure if he wins said title he'd be willing to lay it on the line in a rematch against Brewster.



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