looks like Klitschko-Pianeta

[Chiko_Tech]

At least is better than the Oquendo fight, between Oquendo and Solis.

[turbotime]

Originally Posted by Montero

I feel you, was waiting for this...

The difference is that Floyd fights in a very strong division (WW-JMW) with plenty of willing and deserving challengers that we'd all love to see him fight. Yet he usually fights only once a year and it's rarely against the boxers we'd like to see him face (normally due to him not wanting to make those fights). It's not as if he's extending offers to everyone and being shamelessly ducked.

Am I excited about Klitschko-Pianeta? Fuck no! But how can you blame Wlad? He's tried to get Povetkin in the ring for years but gets ducked. It took him years (and serious concessions) to get Haye in the ring. In the past he sent offers to Valuev and other top contenders/titlists and was declined. So at this point it's either fight somebody like Jennings (who's just not ready yet) or a guy like Pianeta. What do you want him to do - not fight? Instead, Wlad takes this "stay busy" match then hopes to get the legit fight with Povetkin (#2 HW behind Vitali) in the summer.

I'm not defending Klitschko-Pianeta or saying it's the greatest match up ever, but I'd rather the champion fight somebody in between big bouts then simply sit on the sidelines and not fight at all. If Floyd fought 3 times a year (2 stay busy fights and 1 big fight) I really couldn't complain; especially if he didn't charge $60 PPV for each bout.

So it's everyone's fault but Wlad's? How is it Floyd's fault? Arum has kept all his fighters away from him. Funny how it's OK for others though...

Fuck, when Floyd was even WITH Arum, Arum wouldn't let him fight Margarito and Oscar back to back when renewing his contract. Instead Floyd had to leave and end up fighting Baldomir instead, yet somehow it's ALL Mayweather's fault.

[FilipMNE]

Wlad vs WHO???

[Montero]

Originally Posted by turbotime

So it's everyone's fault but Wlad's? How is it Floyd's fault? Arum has kept all his fighters away from him. Funny how it's OK for others though...

Fuck, when Floyd was even WITH Arum, Arum wouldn't let him fight Margarito and Oscar back to back when renewing his contract. Instead Floyd had to leave and end up fighting Baldomir instead, yet somehow it's ALL Mayweather's fault.

I never said anything is 100% Floyd's fault, nor did I say that Wlad was 100% free of blame. Boxing is a nasty business and there's alot of bullshit behind the scenes (especially in the HW division). It's like I always tell my friends who are novice fans - there's "grey area" to every fight; it's not as black and white as it appears on the surface.

I'm just saying that Wlad has way less options, yet tries to make the top fights and gets in the ring 2-3 times a year. With the weakness of the division and unwillingness of the top contenders to face him, there's maybe 1 solid/legit match up a year for Wlad. That means the other 1-2 fights are gonna be tough to make. Then add the fact that he's been splitting the division with his brother (which won't be a problem soon) and it makes those issues even worse. He can't help the era he fights in.

That's why I'm not as critical of guys like Wlad in comparison to Floyd - who calls himself the greatest ever, yet is known more for the bouts he didn't have than the ones he did. I'd rather Wlad fight 3 times a year, even is 2 of those bouts are against the Pianetas of the world, instead of fighting once a year against Povetkin on PPV.

I am tough on Floyd, but that's because Mayweather has made a career of sitting on the sidelines while everybody else fights, then popping in when he feels like it and being very opportunistic with his match making. I rate Floyd as the #1 p4p fighter in the world right now; I'm going to hold him to the highest standard possible. He deserves that.

[BOGART]

Originally Posted by Chiko_Tech

At least is better than the Oquendo fight, between Oquendo and Solis.

I'd agree with this. Still not a strong defense by Wlad and his last 4 defenses have been the low point of his title run. If he faces Povetkin in the summer than that makes up for a lot.

If he does face Pianeta now and Povetkin in the summer than that gives some of the young guys time to get atleast a fight or two in of their own. With another fight or two under their belts guys like Pulev, Helenius, Price, Mitchell, Boystov, Fury, Solis, etc should be ready to face Wlad late this year and come next year. With an aging Wlad and some good young guys getting ready Wlad's reign might get pretty interesting in a fight or two.

[UnleashtheFURY]

Originally Posted by dinovelvet

Fighting MORE OF these guys while holding all the belts is complete joke. He would be lucky to get a fight on the undercard.

Haye who has nothing wouldn't fight this guy in a million years.
Deontay Wilder could fight him and he'd still be ridiculed for not stepping up.

Pianeta is 10x better than any of the stiffs Wilder has faced..If Wilder faced somebody like Pianeta it would be a significant leap in competition.

[Master Lewis]

Originally Posted by FilipMNE

Wlad vs WHO???

Vs a guy who got a draw vs Sosnowski.

Wlad building his legacy.

[cippi]

wlad needs to fight povetkin now wtf is wrong wit him!!

[|A|C|S|]

who is this Piñata guy is he any good?

[Rico Spadafora]

Originally Posted by cippi

wlad needs to fight povetkin now wtf is wrong wit him!!

Povetkin has been ducking him for almost 4 years now. Pulled out of 2 fights with Wlad. What part about that do you not understand?

[madballster]

Pianeta is shit, def. not better than Oquendo IMO. Shitty fight if this comes together, not excited about this at all.

[dinovelvet]

Originally Posted by Rico Spadafora

Povetkin has been ducking him for almost 4 years now. Pulled out of 2 fights with Wlad. What part about that do you not understand?

Wlad is ducking Povektin now. Povektins camp want to fight but Wlad wants to fight a stiff instead. That is a fact.

[itsmeagain1]

Who????

[turbotime]

Originally Posted by Montero

I never said anything is 100% Floyd's fault, nor did I say that Wlad was 100% free of blame. Boxing is a nasty business and there's alot of bullshit behind the scenes (especially in the HW division). It's like I always tell my friends who are novice fans - there's "grey area" to every fight; it's not as black and white as it appears on the surface.

I'm just saying that Wlad has way less options, yet tries to make the top fights and gets in the ring 2-3 times a year. With the weakness of the division and unwillingness of the top contenders to face him, there's maybe 1 solid/legit match up a year for Wlad. That means the other 1-2 fights are gonna be tough to make. Then add the fact that he's been splitting the division with his brother (which won't be a problem soon) and it makes those issues even worse. He can't help the era he fights in.

That's why I'm not as critical of guys like Wlad in comparison to Floyd - who calls himself the greatest ever, yet is known more for the bouts he didn't have than the ones he did. I'd rather Wlad fight 3 times a year, even is 2 of those bouts are against the Pianetas of the world, instead of fighting once a year against Povetkin on PPV.

I am tough on Floyd, but that's because Mayweather has made a career of sitting on the sidelines while everybody else fights, then popping in when he feels like it and being very opportunistic with his match making. I rate Floyd as the #1 p4p fighter in the world right now; I'm going to hold him to the highest standard possible. He deserves that.

You still didn't address the reasons why Floyd hasn't fought the guys YOU felt he should have. Like who? Margarito?

The only fight he missed was Cotto that would have done anything for him.

He tried to get the Pac fight but neither wanted to budge to make the fight.

[nahkis]

Can't really blame Wlad for nobody wanting to fight him, but this is still fucking depressing