Most of the time a win is a good thing, especially for someone's Wlad's age. But, at least in my opinion, the way he went about it was awful, so much so that I lost a lot of respect for him. Make no mistake he was clearly the better fighter, but rather than display those skills and try and land upper cuts or other punches to prevent Povetkin from trying to get in the inside, he instead just grabbed him, over and over and over again. And even 3 of the 4 knockdowns were punches followed by pushing, elbows etc. In other words they weren't legitimate knock downs. So if this is what we can expect going forward, does this help or hurt his legacy?
i don't think he won over anyone who previously wasn't a fan. he had a game opponent who was clearly outmatched in every aspect and still fought the way he did. a win is a win but i don't think anyone changed their mind for the positive.
Remeber when the clinching in Ali/Frazier II destroyed Ali's legacy. It was an ugly match but a genuine defense against his #1 contender and really the last of the late 00 class bar his brother.
Povetkin took serious punishment and just survived a stoppage in the 7th round, the bell went 5 secs early in case nobody noticed. Wlad wasn't doing any holding at all when he was smashing Povetkin in that round. More action there than the Lewis vs Tua entire fight.
If this hurt WK's legacy, then Hopkins Hurts his legacy every time he steps in the ring. Wlad beat the top contender. It wasn't pretty but a win is a win.
It doesn't hurt his legacy from a historical standpoint because he won. But how does anyone really give him full credit considering the way he fought?
Hopkins displays a much more diverse set of skills every time he fights. Wlad has skills, but chooses this way of fighting instead is an insult to boxing fans.
in a few years from now, when people look at his record and people who he challenge, they will say he is great..which he is.. but as of yesterday, today, and the next few weeks, they will be bashing him.
It was a win but it was not a good win. He's had 2 big fights during his reign against Haye and Povetkin and failed to impress on both occasions. But he did win both fights easily so there is that, a win no matter the manner of that win, is better than a loss.
Wlads legacy has down down the shitter. He will be remembered exactly for what he done , and thats sucked the passion and soul out of the sport. Anybody who thinks this fight improved his legacy needs to get real with themselves. Fighters who fought with heart, passion and courage though pure boxing class will be fondly remembered. A limited , one dimensional corrupt cheater who only ever broght negativity on the sport will be forgotten.
Andrey Ryabinsky, Klitschko-Povetkin promoter about TV ratings: "41 percent in Russia, 62 percent in Ukraine tuned in to watch on TV"
Things are as little different now. We not only have footage...but we have HD footage which will be with us forever free on-line. 10-20-50 years from now, people will be able to actually watch Wlad - Povetkin...not just speculate based on grainy footage and old-timer's tales from archived film in someone's basement. His legacy will suffer in a big way. Wlad has repeatedly failed to provide any sort of re-watchable entertainment.