I don't rank him in the top 10 and didn't before the fight. He is too one dimensional and last night proved it. That dimension is a hell of a dimension, but he couldn't adjust to a B level heavyweight. Tyson Fury is a good fighter with lots of size and reach, but I think even some of the other heavyweights on the scene now could beat him.
To me Wladimir has always been overrated, because he has had amazing longevity and dominated a weak era. But he does not have one HOF'er on his resume...Not ONE, how many ATG's can you say that about? I am not denying that he is a first ballot HOF'er and an ATG heavyweight but you need some perspective on his career. If you gave me a choice between a good Vitali and a good Wladimir, I would choose Vitali every day of the week. So if you are going to go with one of them for the top 10 I would have Vitali, who didn't accomplish as much but he had some really notable wins and went life and death with Lennox, even though his general body of work is not as great, to me he is more proven at a higher level. Unfortunately we will never know what would happen if Wlad stepped in with a Bowe, Tyson, Lewis or a Holyfield, but for my money I don't think it would end well, and I certainly can't see either of those guys or Vitali losing to Fury.
For the record I think Vitali has always played the protective older brother role well, and always talked Wlad up and how much better he is then himself. I have never bought it, he is just being a good older brother. Based on last night, in a hypothetical match up I don't think Wlad would last 6 rounds with Vitali. Who is kind of similar to Fury in the sense that he is extremely tall, leans back, has a good jab, but the difference is Vitali has a much better right hand, better chin, and more durable.
To me Wladimir has always been overrated, because he has had amazing longevity and dominated a weak era. But he does not have one HOF'er on his resume...Not ONE, how many ATG's can you say that about? I am not denying that he is a first ballot HOF'er and an ATG heavyweight but you need some perspective on his career. If you gave me a choice between a good Vitali and a good Wladimir, I would choose Vitali every day of the week. So if you are going to go with one of them for the top 10 I would have Vitali, who didn't accomplish as much but he had some really notable wins and went life and death with Lennox, even though his general body of work is not as great, to me he is more proven at a higher level. Unfortunately we will never know what would happen if Wlad stepped in with a Bowe, Tyson, Lewis or a Holyfield, but for my money I don't think it would end well, and I certainly can't see either of those guys or Vitali losing to Fury.
For the record I think Vitali has always played the protective older brother role well, and always talked Wlad up and how much better he is then himself. I have never bought it, he is just being a good older brother. Based on last night, in a hypothetical match up I don't think Wlad would last 6 rounds with Vitali. Who is kind of similar to Fury in the sense that he is extremely tall, leans back, has a good jab, but the difference is Vitali has a much better right hand, better chin, and more durable.
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