He was physically prime but the more cautious Wlad who fought Povetkin would have a better chance of winning.
Wlad at 27 must have been in his physical prime or very near it. I don't think he was in his boxing prime in terms of experience, ring craft, or using his size and strength to its utmost. If I recall correctly, imo he looked a bit clueless and too open against Sanders, a southpaw puncher. Maybe he was over-confident also. WK had a lot to learn and Emanuel Steward taught him.
He was only in his prime against the likes of Brock, Mormeck, Peaneta, Leapai and other legends of that ilk. Funny that. One has to wonder how he would've fared against someone who wasn't old, short or generally hopeless during his "reign".
He absolutely did not try for an immediate rematch with Sanders. He had his big brother do it for him.
We don't really know how he would fare against someone who wasn't "old, short or generally hopeless" since as soon as they lost to him they were labelled old, short or generally hopeless.
These guys will defend the brothers until the very end even if they’re argument makes zero sense….welcome to 2021
actually he did Sanders declined there was no rematch clause and Sanders walked away to have a bigger fight with Vitaly more money.
That is total bull****. Wlad held all the cards, and the public was clamoring for it. If Wlad wanted that fight, he would have made it happen.
Wrong obviously you didn't actually follow what happened after the fight, the public wanted Sanders VS Vitaly as had the "revenge angle" Wladamir tried to make an immediate rematch but Sanders declined and dropped the WBO belt which wanted the rematch and fought Vitali for the WBC strap.
I remember it perfectly. You are either a Wlad fan-boy, or delusional. HBO much preferred Wlad over Vitali. If Wlad or Emmanuel Steward wanted that fight, it would have happened. But, it never did. Those are the facts.