I like both brothers but Vitali is so overrated. He’s always the favorite against everyone but based on what? He doesn’t have the resume to prove anything. Yea he was dominant, high work rate, iron chin, big, hit hard, but when you look at his opponents they weren’t that good. He was also the definition of stiff. I would never think a guy with that kind of resume would be picked to beat so many atg’s let’s look at when his best wins: Lewis: Was winning the fight but got cut, but it was the worst version of Lewis we’ve ever seen. He was old, not in great shape and he still one. If it were a prime Lewis I have no doubt he’d get an easier stoppage victory. Byrd: Was winning the fight and got injured. He did struggle with the southpaw and high defensive style, but not too much shame there since I think Byrd is a tricky for a lot of big guys. Peter: Good win but Peter was said to be making a comeback or was out of shape. Idk correct me on this I really don’t know much about Peter Well these are his best opponents and he took an L against two of them. The rest are just B-D rated guys. He has a few other good names like Hide, a shot Sanders, Chisora, but he really shouldn’t be the #1 H2H heavyweight.
Uh oh, you know who is about to come to Vitali's rescue Btw Vitali had great talent, size, work rate, iron chin and size which is why he's a H2H monster but he fought in a weak era which is why his resume isn't so good. However this post isn't wrong. He got his face carved in by Lewis and quit against Byrd. Chris Byrd and especially Lewis would've been very impressive and his biggest wins, but he couldn't win them. It's unfortunate but it is what it is.
Of course, because highly rated should be only western origin prizefighters. I agree, actually only ppl with proper origin deserved to be punched in the face for a living to entertain clients - paying customers. It is job for ppl who does not value their brains and health. It is suitable only for western ppl I think.
Vitali is a great boxer who did not benefit from being part of a great era. He's far better than his brother, and I would favour him to beat anybody in history.
H2H he is dangerous to any Great heavyweight but I don't think he's unbeatable. Lewis beat him up, cut or no cut he would have won. Vitali could not hurt Lewis after round 2. Lewis was taking his best punches on the chin and was coming back with his own punches that were clearly stronger, he was rocking Vitali with jabs alone and at the end of round 6 had him staggering around the ring like a drunk holding on. Lewis was clearly coming on while Vitali was fading, anyone who thinks different isnt't watching the same fight. Resume wise he is not great. He was fighting B level heavyweights while Wlad was taking out the real competition..Iggy, Haye, Povetkin, Pulev, Chagaev...all Wlads wins. Who did Vitali beat? Some cruisers who weren't even dominant in their own divisions, grossly out of shape guys mediocre guys Like Arreola and Peter...come on. I don't even consider him a real champion. I get that its hard to be unified today when theres 4 titles around but Vitali didnt beat a single big name od that era. It was all Wlad.
Head to head a monster but fought in a weak era. He was also a bully boy but because his English was so weak no one picked him up on it.
What from this? Lewis retired after this fight and this is only thing important to me. Lewis was not better than Vitali and he knew this, therefore had retired after this fight. This is reality. He knew that he will not win rematch vs Vitali. Lewis acutally is overrated, was not better than Fury or A.J. Just large and in weak era.
Vitali also had uncanny reflexes for his size and was more of a true fighter than Wlad, who seemed to panic with punchers. I think h2h Vitali destroys Wlad. He convinced Lewis retirement was smarter than a rematch and he destroyed the punchers that would have given his brother fits. That said, injuries and age definitely limited his opportunities and effected his resume. overrated? Really depends on whose ratings you’re basing that off and what your qualifications are. I think most who saw him fight would agree, he would at the very least be more than a handful for any of the atg’s.
If Lewis could get in better shape for the rematch he would win. If not, he would possibly lose. We don't know for sure. We know what did happen though. Lewis who was in bad shape and rusty stopped Vitali.
Vitali is just another big stiff like his chinny brother (the one qho resorted to excessive and illegal clinching because of his limited boxing ability) . Vitalis resume is laughable as well for how much credit he gets from the standard fangirl
To be punched in the face in pro boxing maybe Lewis was better, congratulations. Brains too I think were more suitable to be prizefighter and passport too better, I agree. h2h he was not capable to beat Vitali or even dudes like Spong. few kicks and Lewis had been stopped. h2h isn't pro entertainment boxing.