Vitali Klitschko vs. Ike Ibeabuchi 1999

You’re moving the goalposts tremendously now.

We both know that boxing isn’t scored off punchstats and that a light hitter like Byrd wouldn’t necessarily have his punches scored the same way as Vitali’s. The judges put their scores in.

As for shoulder injuries, I can name Mayweather—Castillo, Pacquiao—Mayweather, Vitali—Chisora, and Korobov—Eubank as high profile fights that featured shoulder injuries. None of these feature the opponent getting extra credit point because of the shoulder injury.

 

Byrd doesnt get credit because of the injury, he gets credit because he was actually fighting to win and not just survive, hence why the 8 punch difference matters. Yes Vits won the majority of rounds, but let's not pretend the rounds weren't closer than the cards would indicate. Either way he quit and never wanted any part of Byrd again. I dont think it was because he was afraid to lose again, but I do think he didn't want to go through the embarrassment of looking bad and having his own fans cheering his opponent.

 

and if Vitali beat him like a drum people would dump on him for having pointless rematches with midgets that he was sure to win.

 

If he could have beaten him like a drum he would have done it the first time. The fact is Byrd's style was ill suited for Vits and K2 knew it after the first fight. Just like they knew Sanders was all wrong for Wlad who never wanted any part of that rematch.

 

Try fighting with a severely torn rotator cuff. I’ve torn mine and I wouldn’t have even thought about throwing a punch.

 

Getting those Dino vibes again, sigh

 

Its extremely painful. I tore mine missing a punch while sparring.

But when exactly did Vits get hurt? He never stopped throwing punches.

Why are Klitschko fans so adamant Lewis should have rematched Vits but dismiss any idea of Vits rematching Byrd? He was ahead in both fights yet lost both fights

 

He was limited to throwing weak jabs from the hip later in the fight. His range of motion was gone.

To answer your second question: It’s an admission that you weren’t following boxing closely back then.

 

Wlad entertained the option of rematching Sanders, but then politics went in the way. Probably better for Wlad, cause Sanders would probably beaten him 10 out of 10 times. Even in his prime.

 

BS. He never let up his punching. Now youre just lying.

Its an admission you cant answer my question which is why youve ducked it.

 

I dont recall this. I do remember reading an article where Sanders wondered why wlad never sought a rematch.

I think Wlad could have smothered Sanders attack with Manny in his corner and stopped him late. With out Manny in his corner though I agree Sanders probably always beats him.

 

Vitali lands the one two frequently, Ibeabuchi struggles to get inside and Vitali punishes him from the outside, maintaining distance and is able to make Ibeabuchi fall short when he commits.

Ibeabuchi might land some jabs on the front foot, but I don’t see him consistently getting inside and landing clean, Vitali is also physically strong enough to keep the fight where he wants it.

Vitali was very good when guys would come at him, and this is a style that would suit him, he was great at measuring opponents, making them fall short and punishing them at range.

 

This. If he managed to make Sanders miss over and over, what is he not going to do to Ike who moves at about half Sanders' speed? It's gonna be Shannon Briggs all over again.

 

If you need it spelled out for you, it’s because Byrd kind of sucked and fought under DKP to top it off.

 

There was a plan for the rematch and for the 2 fighters to have an interim fight, but it was quickly dropped.

He could have clinched for 3 rounds sticking that jab like Lewis did Tyson, true. But this kind of a destruction... It's hard to unsee. And I'm one of the biggest Wlad fans on this group.