Does Wlad Go Thru Holmes Title Opponent's, With Out A Loss??

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, May 29, 2021.


  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Taking Wlad from his win over Chris Byrd - facing Ken Norton onward, up to Spinks.
    Do you see Wlad beating the likes of Cooney, Witherspoon, Shavers, Berbick?
    Would he even get past a fired up Kenny Norton??
     
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  2. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    You'd have to favor prime Steward version to get through. He fought at a very high level with real consistency and would have loads of physical advantages and hit like a mule with both hands. We are looking at a 7 year run and Wlad maintained excellent form for 9 years. He There's no big snags in there. Guys like Weaver and Shavers can punch but they have sizable holes in their game. Witherspoon had just 15 fights under his belt and I've always felt that when Holmes dug deep and turned up the heat Timmy eased back a bit. Wlad also has a good left hook with bulk power with is something Larry never had and is a great weapon against Witherspoon and his defense.

    So I'd back him yes. His consistency even against an average bunch was very impressive and he dominated most of them.
     
  3. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He could. Someone may pick him off but there’s a reason he made 18 title defenses consecutively and 23 overall. He was very good.
     
  4. Kamikaze

    Kamikaze Bye for now! banned Full Member

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    Well while he could- he could also be flatlined in a rare moment. It would also depend on how much a referee felt like letting him get away with back then in that rare instance overall I think Wlad dominates them all.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2021
  5. Cobra33

    Cobra33 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    No. Witherspoon gets him.
     
  6. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I think if I was Steward, I'd be nervous against guys like Shavers, Cooney, Witherspoon.
    Shavers not the most technical of fighters, but he's got the A bomb punch. Nearly did for Larry of course.
    Cooney s another danger man, could he replicate Sanders.?
    Tim Witherspoon has imo to be made a favourite here. One of the best alphabet boys by a mile, tough with it. And by the time Wlad would be facing him, he'd be ageing slightly.
     
  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    He's the most likely imo.
     
  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Second.
     
  9. thistle

    thistle Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yes, probably, Vlad's a GIANT S-HW, so it's a different Division.

    It amazes me how people just refuse to include that fact in their thinking...
     
  10. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Not sure tho, you can class Cooney, Witherspoon and a few other s as small heavyweight s, we're not talking Dempsey era type heavyweight s. Yes, Wlad s bigger but I don't make him a overwhelming favorite over all Holmes opp s.
     
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  11. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    No.
    He's a non-runner. He loses to Norton.
     
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  12. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Actually I wouldn't be at all surprised. Norton was on fire, he wanted to hold on to that belt like crazy. Wlad would have his hands full.
     
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  13. Stiches Yarn

    Stiches Yarn Active Member Full Member

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    But Wladimir has all time great power so you can say good night to Norton, especially this shot version that fought Holmes.
     
  14. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He'd be a good bet to do it. One of the few heavyweights over the last 30-odd years to show true consistency.
    It must be noted also that Larry fought a good few mediocre fighters during his reign, who I think Wlad has no problem with whatsoever, like Evangelists, Ocasio, Bey, Marvis Frazier, Leon Spinks and others.
    Cooney could be ticklish for a while. A big man with legitimate power. If the Cooney
    that fought Holmes turns up, it would be an intriguing fight, though I would still expect Wlad to win.
    As said, Spoon has a shot. Wlad would be declining by now and anything's possible. I think also that Carl Williams has a shot. Tall rangy guy who would meet an older Wlad. I'd back Wlad in both, but not by miles.
    Spinks? It depends on how Wlad is by this point. It's not inconceivable that he'd be a banana skin for Wlad just as he was for Holmes.
    I almost forgot Weaver and Shavers.
    Both stand a puncher's chance, but both most likely get stopped.
    That really leaves Norton, who would meet a young, fresh Wlad. I don't think Kenny gets the job done, as much as I'd wish him to.
    So yes, it's perfectly possible that Wlad potentially could beat all of Holmes' title challengers. He did it in his own era, though I personally found him loathsome to watch.
     
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  15. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Barring some fluke, yes.