Why is Wlad Klitschko Considered an ATG

Sure.

 

An excellent question.

The best few best guys he faced proved how he isn't an ATG so you won't get an straight up answer to that question.

 

Yeah Wlad has only been the dominant champion since the Povetkin fight.

Until then you can argue he was never the clear number 1.

I'm not revising btw a **** load of people think he has been number 1 since 05. But just as many always had Vitali above him.

Since Wlad turned pro can anyone say he deserved to be above Lewis and Vitali? I really am not sure. There were times when I would place him as a clear number 1 but never based on ability, always on resume. Although once Vitali was old I think I would have favoured Wlad but never could be sure because they never fought.

But since Vitali retired the picture has been clear he's been the last man standing since the late Lewis days. So in that way he has been dominant but I do see now how his reign is not comparable with that of Louis. Louis never had a bigger brother who most thought was better during his prime years.

 

His best performance is Pulev and he was touted to be a huge test to Wlad. He did look good that night imo.

 

He's an ATG through crushing weight of numbers if nothing else.

I admit that I like the defensive Wlad a lot less than the offensive Wlad.

But he's undeniably effective, as evidenced by his repeated wins over every new "hope" that comes along to dethrone him. At nearly 40 what he's doing is fantastic.

 

I have to say that Pulev looked like a strong, brute of a man who was ready to rough Wlad up all the way if that's what it took.

I didn't like Wlad's strange lack of a controlling jab compared to his early versions, but his speed an accuracy was phenomenal when he did decide to let fly.

 

Pulev came into that ring doing everything your not supposed to do in a prize fight.

Wlad had to rely on Pulevs laziness and lack of awareness coming out of the clinch to catch him with a bomb.

His game plan was basically maul him to death with grapples and catch him on the break.

Wlad couldn't straight up out box the guy who was just stood there with his hands dangling out in the air.

That shambles wasn't boxing. Watch the first round again. Pure wrestling. Sumo wrestling. Stand up ground game.

 

And with a much shorter reign, less power, much less speed, much worse footwork, much less skill... otherwise you pretty much nailed it.

Look, there just haven't been all that many ATG heavyweights. It has always been a shallow division. But Waldo is one of them

 

This is a salient point.

 

ATG stats and statistics. Aided by a beyond abysmal era and consistent bending of the rules .

I can't pinpoint a moment where he has projected greatness like the authentic greats before him.

Can you:think

 

Either way I wasn't alone in thinking Pulev could pull the upset and Wlad dominated him. He was stronger, quicker and harder hitting. Pulev's jab didn't even come into play that night.

The only performances of Wlads arguably better were against Byrd and Chagaev.

 

Pulev would have out jabbed him if Wlad wasn't throwing him around by the neck and driving him up against the ropes with all his body wrapped around him like a squid.

Tony Thompson out boxed Pulev in a much more cleaner and tidier manner while he had the gas tank.. He was over 40 years old, out of shape and wasn't coming off a million dollar state of the art training camp like Wlad was.

 

Doesn't pinpoint a better Wlad performance though does it?

Thompson started amazingly well for the first 3 rounds. Shame he was too past it to capitalise. Shame we never really got to see a prime Thompson tbh.

 

Dinovelvet + Wlad thread = stink on sh*t

 

He isn't.