atschHe sure did a number on Wlad, huh? Nearly decked Vitali, that out of shape golfing slob/part time boxer....meanwhile, I think you're overrating Valuev a bit...who mostly fought outsized guys without a clue of how to beat him, including and ancient Holyfield, was beaten by two less than stellar performers who were outclassed by Wlad. The Reluctant Toe Man Haye hurt him in the last round, but Sanders would have overwhelmed the giant with authority at the outset, like he did Wlad. In my opinion:bbb...
well i mean even very old holyfield was better than old sanders. but wlad was an accident waiting to happen, all it needed was someone like sanders (ie someone not good but not willing to stick to the script) to come along. Though thats not to deny he had a refined if rather narrow set of defensive skills. Hes fairly good as an opponent, can beat pretenders like haye. just lacking fundamentals at the world level.
Sanders would dazzle Valuev with speed and power. However, his stamina often sucked. I can see Sanders dominating the early going, but the iron chinned Valuev surviving and taking him into the late rounds. Sanders will hold on for a decision, though.
I think the Corrie Sanders who beat Ross Purity in 1997 might have done as you say.. Not sure about the Sanders of the 2000's.
Regarding valuev....it was hard to watch this guy's fights. Literally. When he was on his way up and you kneew him by name, you were sending away for his fights to see them. He hardly mowed down the competition early on. I remeber when he signed to fight Donald and thought at the time, what a huge step up for the guy. Think about that for a minute.....Larry Donald being a big step up in competition. The way Valuev was protected, I thought Larry must have lost his legs or handspeed and that was why he was selected as an opponent. But the set of tools for Valuev is really pretty thin. So basic. I think he'd have his hands full with a guy like Wilder. Or Shannon Briggs. Or the boxer types like Akinwande or Mavrovic. Going back in time a little further--I think Gentleman Gerry ****ey destroys him.
Here's another one from the Scene "If Sanders is unable to land a fight with Klitschko, he wants to face the 7-foot WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev. According to Sanders' trainer, he and Valuev sparred several years ago, and Sanders feels he can beat the giant Russian. "He sparred with the giant Russian some years ago in Johannesburg and feels he can add the WBA title to the WBU and WBO crowns he has held in the past." https://www.*******.com/corrie-sanders-back-wants-klitschko--6322
I think this is the first time I've ever picked Valuev in a hypothetical. He'd stop Sanders brutally between 8-10