I remember him taking a shot from sanders early in the fight that sanders had wobbled and stopped a lot of other fighters with that same shot.
Sanders Briggs Hide Chisora Adamek Peter, Arreola, Fonald and Gomez records are poor. Although Vitalli was quality boxers his record of opposition was so poor in comparison to Wlad.
Vitali to me is an all time head to head great he would be a tough out for any Heavyweight in history due to his Iron Chin, height, and awkward ‘lean back’ style. As far as his resume he isn’t in my top 10 or even top 15. Vitali could fight and let’s not forget he lost 4 years due to injury. That’s at least 8 fights he missed.
It was luck in a way, as Lewis was being outboxed and looked unsteady on his feet. It felt kinda inconclusive.
Peter Hide Sanders Johnson Arreola I loved following Vitali's career, but he is far from an ATG. But he is a very worthy hall of famer though.
Hard to say. It's a pretty weak resume he's got at the top end. Based on a combination of H2H abilities and standing I'd say: Sanders Peter Chisora Adamek Arreola Could even have Solis or Kirk Johnson in there as well. Maybe Hide, Danny Williams and Gomez. Yeak, kinda thin gruel. Wlad's got a considerably better body of work, of that no one can argue.
True, Sanders nearly had both Klitschko's . Atleast he came closest. And despite his stamina the guy could punch. I feel he is underrated. Died as a man as well.
It wasn't so much a "weak era" as Vitali fighting far weaker opponents than his brother. Take Chisora: maybe H2H Vitali's best win (I think he'd grind down the older, flabby, inactive Sanders that Vitali stopped in 8, outwork the washed Peter who retired in 8 and outwork Arreola). Chisora was beaten emphatically by Haye and Pulev, two of Wlad's best wins, who Wlad beat emphatically.
So punching someone and landing hard enough to cut their face open, a cut that need sixty (60) stitches, while boxing is luck now? Damn. Now think about what Lennox could have done if he hadn't entered the ring at his highest career weight ever that night. All those lucky people who fought Wepner should have played the lottery.
Well he was at a career heaviest and old. The fight had 6 rounds to go and Vitalis face looked like a pizza. If anyone was going to win it was Lewis, like Steward said
I seem to remember Johnson having some success with his jab and vitali looking pretty bruised up at the press conference afterwards