Vitali fought Lewis and didn't embarrass himself - yes Lewis was old and past his prime and yes Lewis won, but Vitali went in there with an undeniable ATG and gave a good account of himself. There are some fair criticisms of Vitali's resume but it's still levels beyond Wilders. As for Wlad... His resume is not even on the same planet. About the only major fight you could really criticise him for not having taken on during his career is Vitali, and it would probably have been a massive disappointment as a fight anyway IMHO. Wlad may have a few losses to his name, but he didn't run and hold a belt hostage whilst inflating his win column with 99% trash fighters whilst ducking every serious fighter in proper physical condition. Wilder is a really cut and dried case of a belt hostage holder - in a sport where accomplishments are a matter of nuance, Wilder has managed to make his resume undeniably worthless and whilst holding a belt to add insult to injury.
It seemed that way at the time. But then you look at former fringe contenders like Chisora and Arreola from that era now giving Whyte, Parker and Ruiz Jr tough fights as well as a shot Povetkin from that era fighting a draw with Hunter and KOing Whyte you wonder if that era really was that bad or if it was simply a case of Wlad and Vitali making it look that way. Maybe that era was as bad as you say but if that's the case then this era maybe worse, more competitive but still worse.
But, that's not their fault. You can only ever fight those who are around at the same time. That's not the same as avoiding people, fighting fringe world level opponents etc... I expect more from a champion.
I believe that was 275. Which he barely got for a single rep, only because he cheated by arching his back way off the bench. Unremarkable for even a HW from the old days, before most everyone bulked up.
As I posted, it appears to be 275 lbs. A plate, 2 25's, & likely 2 10's on top of the Olympic bar. Still he could not have done it legally, without that massive illegal arch/butt coming off the bench. And not so impressive for a HW, especially a modern day one, even without PEDs.
Anthony Joshua could probably bench twice the weight but that doesn't mean he punches harder than Wilder. How strong you are doesn't translate to how hard you punch, it just means you'll have an easier time moving your opponent around in a clinch.
The most difference that A.J sorry does have 2 hands capable to get a guy at least down if landed properly. Wilder, while being 2 handed in ams, looks that had switched to more 1 handed mode + mode that does needs distance. Yeah, he does have better gas tank than the bodybuilder but large bodybuilder does have 2 very dangerous hands until he had been enough gassed out, then he calms down, recovers and then performs again and then cycle repeats again.
Let me point out that his technique of “pressing” 310 is bout as bad has his boxing technique. Legs still look tooth picky Deontay, better get your squats and dead lifts in.