Out of the All-Time Heavyweights List...Who Does Vitali Beat and Why?

Tyson is only 5'10 and a half, and would rip Vitali's fragile body apart and make him quit in 8 rounds. I dont know exactly if Marciano would beat Vitali, but if he could get on the inside and find a place for his hook, Vitali's going down.

 

I think Vitali gets alot of credit because he dominates in a weak era for heavyweights, and he knows how to use his size to his advantage. Could an Ali figure him out and beat him? yes! Could a Joe Louis? Yes!

Max Baer would do to him what he did to Primo Carnera. I think a young George Foreman takes him out.....hell even an older George Foreman!

Take away the low blows and the Golota that was beating Bowe could give him a run for his money!

 

behold jeff young has spoken..

it must be gospel.

yes way.

 

All of the old time greats beat Vitali, even the smaller ones. He's a premier heavyweight by todays standards , but in more competitive era's he would be a contender, nothing more.
Too much is made of size in these comparisons. If size were that important Carnera and Willard would have retired undefeated, Valuev would have already knocked out everyone and retired, and Tye Fields would be the #1 contender.
Even some of the more well known contenders from the past would have troubled Vitali greatly. Jerry Quarry, George Chuvalo,Oscar Bonavena and Jimmy Ellis were skilled, rough guys.

 

He doesn't have a punch that is generated explosively from the hips in his arsenal. I've said this before,but I believe if guys like a peak Rahman or McCall were in a position to exploit the opening Lennox gave to Vitali,they would have got the KO.

Vitali has a lot power from his skeletal structure and strength,but not devastating one punch power .He compensates with his persistent and compact punching technique .Still, I think some of the greats could hang with him and dish out the greater damage as the rounds pass.

 

First of all at what rank of ATG HWs do we stop?
Cuz there are plenty.

 

Debates like this go on forever; they are not resolved because they are unresolvable. Vitali is criticized for his slowness and awkwardness, and is praised for his chin, his power, and fighting spirit. I submit that he does not garner enough attention for his uncanny accuracy of his punches in spite of hisf slowness. He can fight like a warrior, but also has a lot of ring smarts and approaches his fights intelligently. So he's probably underrrated, and yes, needs some more career-defining fights to cement his place in the pantheon of champions.

 

You realize that Foreman is as tall as Gomez? Who is a slicker boxer with longer arms than Foreman and he couldn't get to Vitali.

Vitali is totally underrated because of his injury - hampered career. He is one of the most difficult fighters to hit at HW ever. Just look how often he made supposedly faster fighters hit air. His reflexes coupled with his height made very difficult to hit flush. He has a good shot against anyone in history.

 

Lennox Lewis is missing on your list....

Ali: difficult to predict how that fight would go. Ali struggled with Jones and was knocked down by Cooper. Vitali of course never faced someone with Ali's skills. Could go either way.

Johnson: another era, I don't think the greats from that far back are competitive today. Any sport evolves, so does boxing. Johnson with modern training? Interesting matchup.

Dempsey: Give Vitali those 6 OZ gloves from Dempsey's era and I would like to see how Dempsey's chin holds up.

Louis. Vitali wins. Louis could be hurt by 200 pound fighters, Vitali would evade his attacks with his leaning back defense. Louis had great hand speed but no foot speed. Also the 6 OZ gloves increase Vitali's power.

Foreman: Foreman has the edge in one punch power, all other advantages are with Vitali. Foreman was never very fast and Vitali is a master at evading punches.

Holmes: I agree that he is underrated, but he also sometimes struggled with the level of fightes that Vitali dominated. Close fight, Vitali has the edge. His long arms and punches from all angles negate some of Holmes' advantages.

Liston: Not equipped to deal with a 6'8 fighter with Vitali's physical attributes. Vitali wins.

Frazier: Too small and too easy to hit for Vitali, beatdown 6 - 8 rounds. Foreman hits harder but is far more sloppy, Vitali would be a brick wall for Frazier.

Holyfield: Maybe Holyfield could get a decision if he fights defensively. If he tries to bang, he is toast.