Wladimir's reluctance to let his hands go...

Fury fought a great fight, he had the perfect plan...so I'm not saying this to take anything away from him.

But, at times during the fight, the way Wlad was so inactive, or would start to throw and then pull the punch back....it reminded me of Holyfield in his later years at heavyweight. He still looked great, just couldn't pull the trigger.

I'm not saying this is what happened to Wlad, I guess no one but himself (maybe not even himself) really knows the answer, I'm just sharing my thoughts as they were while watching the fight play out.

Huge Wlad fan, always will be!

 

The jabs he let go were short or missed completely..

most fighters throw less when they miss most of what they are throwing.

You guys are asking a 39 year old Wlad to be Marciano, and let his hands go at a moving target until something lands, not happening.

 

This is what happens when a fighter ages and is a clean fighter. You can't pull the trigger anymore. Free testosterone is the first thing to get lower as you get close to 40.

You loose they aggressiveness, explosiveness. Free testosterone is directly related to that.

 

Lol I'm sure Wlad will lose sleep over knowing he's slipped down in your rankings.

 

That obviously plays a part, but to just attribute it atll to that is wrong.

Fury fighting in a style that is not conducive to Wlad's cautious, one dimensional style, Wlad's inability to go to a plan B and his weak mentality played a major role, too.

 

Wlad's in inactivity was down more to Fury's movement rather than age.

Wlad has shown throughout his career that he is a lot more cautious around people who move, use upper body movement or look to counter.

 

I think hes so used to being number 1 hes scared to do anything to jeopardize loosing, he freezes up when he feels hes in danger. His fear of getting hit has become greater than his will to win and risk it all.

Similar thing has happened to mayweather towards the end of his career only he didn't freeze up and get trigger shy to the extend vlad did here, instead he channeled this fear into defensive mastery. Mayweather has lost the ability to risk it all for the ultimately glory, he plays it safe, I guess that's what happens when you are at the pinnacle of the mountain for such a long long time, the fear of loosing that spot must be tremendous.

 

Mayweather since his comeback never conceeded the physical advantages Wlad did against Fury. Height, reach, speed, and youth.

Even against Canelo, Mayweather had the reach and speed advantage.

 

He fights scared and over protective which is both good and bad for him (mostly good as his record shows) he hardly ever throws body punches anymore and very rare does he throw a hook all he does is jab jab and jab but it worked out well for him other than 4 times

 

There really isn't any mystery here. Wlad has been past his best for quite some time. Wlad went from being an offensive machine... to being a well rounded boxer who set up his punches and took people out.. to being a jabbing artist, who finally would wear his opponents out enough to stop them, or would win a wide decision... to a guy who simply doesn't have anything left. His decline has been very clear for everyone to see. Fury was just the guy who was able to stay on his feet and weather the few power punches that Wlad could let go. Credit to Wlad for being great enough to keep evolving and staying at the top way past his best, and credit to Tyson Fury for having the right game plan, and being good enough to finally exploit Wlad's diminished ****nal.

This doesn't mean that Wlad couldn't win a rematch, or that he couldn't still beat top fighters. His size, movement, and power is still enough to potentially win any fight. However, he clearly doesn't have anything close to what he used to have, he is very vulnerable, and I really don't see any reason for Wlad to continue fighting anymore. He had a great career, and there is no need for him to hang around until he takes a serious beating.

 

You guys are overthinking this. Its easy.

Wlad doubts his own ability to take a punch. Facing a guy with Fury's reach and size, he was afraid to let his hands go in fear of being hit. Thats it bottom line.

 

Unwatchable knowing a good right hand could end the fight what a waste Wlad is, he was in perfect physical condition ready to go after each round chasing Fury loaded but not willing to pull the trigger, good riddance to the Terminator sequel.

 

The fight was infuriating to watch.

I did not see anything that made me think Fury was great. He did, however, burn some offensive calories. He also had at least a defensive scheme.

I'm horribly disappointed with Klitchko. He did not deal with what Fury brought and should at least have tried. If he cannot risk taking a shot or two for the title, he should consider retirement. Bad sign if a fighter cannot adapt to new challenges.

Worst thing is- I believe had he tried he would have found some options.

My lower back is still sore from watching him try to advance while leaning back at all times.

 

After writing this, I read in Boxing News today -

He was far too sparing with his cross and Klitschko admitted afterwards that he just wasnt able to set it up with his jab.
"I couldnt find the right distance to land those shots. Tyson was quick with his hands and his body movement and his head movement"
Wladimir said "My right is supposed to land after my left, so there should have been more right hands but after the left hand. So without the distance I couldnt land the shots as I wished to"

 

Pre steward Wlad would have trashed Fury. And Let's face it his corner didn't give much usefull advice either, Banks should have told him to start letting his hands go and throw that right hand without setting it up pretty early in the fight because that jab wasn't working for him. But the writing has been on the wall for some time, Wlad simply doesn't throw many right hands any more and his leaping left hooks are not that effective against a taller opponent.

He was also asked after the fight what the gameplan was, and all he said was to box. That's not a plan, they did not have a proper plan A, and certainly not a plan B. The great emanuel steward had what, like 4 gameplans for his first fight against Thompson?

Just proves how important tactics and a great trainer really is.