I think the thread was meant to be about top fighters who were athletic, but you're right, there were a lot of great athletes, especially in the eighties/early nineties who never amounted to much for various reasons. To say Wlad isn't even close though is pretty ridiculous. Watch him in his amateur days and in his early fights pre Steward. He demonstrates a great deal of his athleticism there.
Wlad's up there for sure but Ali had the fastest handspeed and he literally outclassed his opponets with footwork and blazing combinations.
He'd be in the top 5 for naturally gifted. You'd have to add Riddick Bowe to that list too but he wasn't exactly mentally gifted was he? :yep
Holmes doesn't belong on the short list either, certainly not as physically gifted as the others mentioned so far.
Wlad is very agile for such a big man. You must have confused Wlad with Vitali.................. Yes, Vitali fights like a short circuiting robot but he's stillk very effective with that style. To say Wladimir isn't "agile" is ridiculous.
Holmes wasn't as physically gifted as the above either, but it wasn't such a stand out bit of nonsense that required bringing up.
Louis would make the short list no doubt but I don't think any Heavyweight in history could keep up with Wladimir's workout regimen. Face it, this guy stays in shape year round and he doesn't drink or eat garbage. How many other heavys in history can say the same?
I cant be bothered to read through the whole thread but Ken Norton deserves a mention. From wiki... "Norton was an outstanding athlete at Jacksonville High School. He was a member of the state championship football team and was selected to the all-state team on defense as a senior in 1960. His track coach entered him in eight events and Ken placed first in all. As a result, the "Ken Norton Rule" was instituted in Illinois high school sports which limits participation of an athlete to a maximum of three track and field events. After graduating from high school, Norton went to Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) on a football scholarship and studied elementary education." Jack Johnson was a talented athlete as well, Corrie Sanders too.