How Many Previous Champs Does Wlad Beat?

I always thought that Lewis would be his kryptonite.

He might be able to outbox Lewis, but he could never out fight him.

 

What is Wlad going to do when Lewis turns it into a brawl on the inside, as he will if he doesn't have his way on the outside?

I am not sure that Wlad has much to answer that with.

 

The matchup is never chin vs chin; it's power vs chin. Having a better chin than your opponent doesn't matter if they still hit hard enough to knock you out. Lennox hits hard enough to knock out Wlad, but I believe you're clearly discounting that Wlad has the power to one-shot Lennox with either hand.

Specifically, I've seen Lewis knocked out twice by single right hands that aren't as good as Wlad's, which is one of the best the division has ever seen.

We may well see Lennox attack early, but it's going to be at significant risk against a fighter whose got ample experience against that exact same gameplan since people have been using it (unsuccessfully) for years.

Lennox also has the power to get to Wlad early, which is why this is such an interesting fight. My bet is that it'd turn into a boxing match because of each man's cautiousness and awareness of that fact. Each may only get one mistake before they're made to pay dearly.

Who would I favor? I'd call it a toss up, but with a decided edge to whoever gets Manny in their corner for it.

 

The reason Lewis was so successful, was that he could outbox anybody he couldn't out fight, and he could out fight anybody he couldn't outbox.

If the outside game wasn't working for him, he would definitely take it to the inside with the uppercut, and I don't think that trying to hold him would be enough.

Lewis was incredibly strong himself, and a real bruiser on the inside, dirty as well.

 

But it wouldn't be fought "on the inside." We've seen the range it would be fought at."

Lewis - Vitali wasn't fought at range like some fencing match. They were all over each other like lovers.
Vitali made it that bit harder because of his superior control of distance , but Lewis still penetrated him and bust him up.
Wlads jab and hugging isn't going to stop Lewis boring in and Wlad is a sitting duck when he does.

 

On his best night he could beat anyone with the proper plan, he has the skill but on his worst night he can lose to any of the best

 

Look at the way Lewis mauls Michael Grant on the inside when he tries to hold on and tie him up, and look at how he slips the clinches.

I just don't see Wlad having any very good answer for that.

 

lewis being able to counterpunch reasonably competently and throw at the same time as the other man competently would be a fair advantage against Wlad, i think.

Wlad is much more, "your turn, my turn...more specifically my turn then i tie you up, move out of the way"

Vitali was much harder mentally and more comfortable trading.


Still, Lewis has been blasted out twice by lesser fighters emphasising the one two so who knows.A lot might depend on what sort of shape he turns up in.

 

Personally I would look at the Wach fight to get some ideas what Wlad might do.

If we project this fight going the distance, or close to the distance, then it becomes an important frame of reference.