Yes, there are plenty of boxers who still do well at 35. Wlad is one of them too. But it doesn't mean that he's in his prime. It just means he's still capable of beating most fighters at 80% of his ability. Compare his handspeed and explosiveness of today to for instance from this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDf1opOXN9s He was way quicker back then. Almost like Joe Louis, except he has no uppercut.
What world champs has he beaten in the last 7 years besides Haye? What fighters had a top 5 ranking? Whats the accomplishment in fighting a string of past it, over 40 , beyond 50 ranked nobody's? If that was the criteria for evaluating greatness, surly Sven Ottke would be sitting at the top. Would Mayweather have a better legacy if he fought non title holding, ranked somewhere within the top 50 fighters like Paul Mccloskey, Serhiy Fedchenko, old Casamayor, Vivian Harris, Carlos Quintana etc a few times a year instead of fighting the no.1 Champs. once or twice a year. He could easily do the former and nobody would stop him but would recieve a severe lambasting and a tarnished legacy in return. Wlad fights stiffs and people have come to accept that a long time ago and have moved on. He and been dumped off the major sports networks in the UK and US and never in a million years would one of his fights qualify for a ppv event. Pretty appalling considering he is the unified Heavy Weight Champion of the world, the biggest prize in boxing.
Peter, Chambers, Chagaev, Brock, Haye, Ibragimov and Byrd were not ranked? I must be following a different sport.
Steward himself said those fighters were duds. You quote part of the post thats convenient to you. Nice cop out. You're done.
He hasn't declined stylistically, his ring craft is better than ever, he has definitely dropped off physically though.
No way does a younger version of Wlad completely negate someone as explosive as Haye through movement, footwork and understanding of range. Just watch his fights throughout his career, he has declined a bit physically but his boxing iq is far higher. Less excitement, less early knockouts, but far far less risk. It would take a very specific style and attributes to beat present day Wlad.
Somebody here needs gainful employment if they are checking on who is and isn't logged in. Christ almighty.
I have followed his career and i dont see it. Ill pull the punch stats against Wach and we'll see if hes declined or not.
You reduced to insults again seamus. Your a pitty. What extra effort must somebody go to , to check online/offline status?
