I think he just blew his load early, kind of like Haye did in the Thomson fight. The rematch set everything right anyways, so it's history now.
It's funny how most of them aren't bums until AFTER he fights them. They don't stand in front of him on purpose...he MAKES them. Wlad controls the fight.
This fight was in 2003!! His cornerman Fritz Sdunek. Have you realize that Wladimir improved with Emanuel Steward? Wlad is now a complete fighter, better footwork, defence, Jab. And Wlad had a gameplan because of Steward!
I wonder who would have the panic attack if any of these idiots who accuse Wlad of panicking would ever face him in the ring or a streetfight... Wlad can beat anybody on the planet in a fistfight. He regained his composure after being knocked down by Peter in a career - deciding comeback fight. He is not a born fighter like James Toney, he had to learn how to fight and how to react to adversity in the ring, which makes his improvements all the more impressive. He doesn't fake pain from non - existent low blows like Bernhard Hopkins, he clinches far less than Holyfield did against Tyson (Wlad - Peter: 91 clinches, Holy - Tyson: 186 clinches) and less than Ali in most on his fights in the 70's. Yet so many think of Ali or Holyfield or Hopkins as warriors and Wlad is accused of being a ***** - go figure.
They aren't having panic attacks? Perhaps you ought to study a bit of psychology. Floyd Patterson was terrified of Sonny Liston and stood in front of him twice, and got knocked out twice, in the first round. He was not scared of George Chuvalo, and pranced all over the ring in a serious effort to win the fight. It is called stick and move. Even the bums in the latter day heavyweight division can figure out that standing in front of a bigger, stronger opponent is one good way to get yourself knocked out. Nobody who is planning to win is going to do it.
That is what you say, but other people in this forum have claimed that Steward has made him worse. Personally I don't give a **** whether Wladimir is better or worse. He is still a poor excuse for a fighter.
Think what you want, i know what i have seen. Wladimir improved with Emanuel Steward. His defence is so much better know and he is difficult to hit. Sdunek had a great lobby by so called "boxing fans" expecially from germany! And they hope Wladimir will lost soon. But with Emanuel in the corner, he will not loose. The only thing they can do is post there hate.