Vitali by decision. Vitali was always tougher than wlad but perhaps would have hsd trouble with that hands low, lean back type style vs a tall guy like Fury. I still think he would outwork him to capture more rounds.
I've tended to favour Vitali in this match up previously. But I'm not so sure, having seen how Fury even at probably 80% just walk Wilder down and just manhandled him and how Lewis put it on Vitali, I can see how an aggressive Fury could beat him this way. But then can Fury cope with the work rate Vitali sets but then can Fury do what he does so often and slow the pace of the fight down with his clinching and mauling. I think Fury is the more complete fighter but Vitali the better more physically superior fighter with better stamina and work rate. I don't think Fury can win with the same tactics he used vs Wlad, he needs to put it on him and control the pace of the fight, Vitali's not used to being the smaller man and he was not adept inside as the Lewis fight proved. My heart as a Vitali fan says Vitali will out work him, but my head is telling me Fury with his huge bag of tricks can find a way to win a decision in a tough competitive fight.
Walking down Vitali is a totally different problem than walking down wilder, he’s physically much weaker an less sturdy as Vitali. Tyson in all fairness made wilder look better than he is by not being at 100%.
I don’t know Vitali hasn’t shown that he can fight anyone with the size/style combination of Fury.. If Byrd was able to cause problem and provide a tricky challenge to Vitali I can imagine Fury with his constant feints would be more challenging.. I love Vitali but he gets overrated a lot..
Fury wins, Vitali's style of hands down, leaning back and avoiding shots would not work well with someone taller, with better foot work and that's as active as Fury. Also, Fury's defense at evading shots (upper and lower body movement) is better than Vitali's. This fight would be a chess match, no one's gonna land clean the entire fight. Also: Vitali is not "better" than Wlad. I want this myth to end.
Prime Vitali, i.e. between 2003 and 2005, I think would grind Fury down and maybe stop him late. He was still a solid, stiff puncher at this stage and although Fury has a good chin, i could see Vitali grinding him down in a brutally tough fight. Fury defintely has a chance as it's a close match-up and I would not be surprised if Fury nicked it on points. If he tries to bludgeon Vitali, like he did Wilder, it would be a mistake as he is much better as a slick boxer. They would be about the same size too. This patently false narrative that Fury is 6ft 9 surely has run it's course as even Stevie Wonder could have seen that Fury and Wilder are about the same height, both in and out of the ring.
Vitali. He's got the workrate and the chin to deal with Fury. This forward-coming version of TF would be easier for Vitali to deal with than the outboxing version. Vits likes it when guys come to him; he wasn't so happy having to chase guys around the ring.
Fury would use his head, shoulders, elbows, and punches to cut Vitali up. I am not sure if could use his weight like that against Vitali but he can always choose to box more.
I love Vitali but I just think Fury finds a way to edge it. I'm still buzzing on Fury right now albeit.
