Ron Lyle vs. Wladimir Klitschko

Could be dangerous for Wlad, but I'll pick him by KO.

Lyle's a tough, game fighter with some size. But he gets credit for being a giant puncher which isn't the case, the only ranked contender he ever stopped was Shavers whose durability and stamina is ****. But it is true that he could hit a bit and he would go down swinging which would make it dangerous for Wlad. Lyle has good skills but wouldn't be able to outbox Wlad, he'd have to try to go for the KO.

I'll pick Wlad by a 10th round KO. Wlad lands a big right hand and takes him out, Lyle has the power to take him out but his durability isn't the greatest and probably wouldn't be able to land on him often enough.

 

Lyle had his moments, but against Vlad, I think the screw this, I ain't fighting no 240lbs monster philosophy would come in.

I did say Vlad KO/TKO, in the poll, but thinking about it, Lyle's reputation means Vlad goes safety first, and Ron's lack of work effic gives Vlad an easy pay day.

Vlad WU10/12/15; by near shut out.

 

Vlad by KO

 

This is a hard one considering Wlad's low durablility. I picked Lyle by KO but I wouldn't bet on this pick. Wlad KO is very possible as well.

 

I picked Wladimir by decision.

 

Lyle was one of the hardest punchers of the 70's. But I don't think his power would have much effect on Vlad when ready and at his best at 240+ pounds. I invision a Vlad massacre.

 

Depends on how Wlad shows up. I could see Lyle posing a similar threat to that of Sanders and Brewster, but I think picking Klit is more appropriate. I wouldn't count out Lyle though. He rose off the canvas after being brutally decked by Earnie Shavers to win the fight, and nearly did the same against George Foreman.

 

Wlad at his best beats him. Lyle doesn't have the way to get that power their or a way to outbox him consistently when Wlad is at his peak.

Even if Wlad just jab jab grabs. That's enough to win a decision. So I'll go decision Wlad.

 

If so, that was a lackluster decade. Who was the best guy he ever KO'd? Chinny Shavers and absolutely nobody.

 

While I don't see the Klit bros dominating or doing anything special during the 70's, anything that Holmes says has to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

I pick Vlad to win by later round stoppage, but it would be a very dangerous bout for him and the potential for a Lyle win would be high. If Lyle could find a way to connect, his power would be way too much for Vlad, and Lyle would win by kayo.

I see Vlad putting on a tough, but safety first performance here, kind of a cross between his performances against Sultan Ibragimov and Ruslan Chagaev. Vlad would do just enough to keep Lyle at bay, and to remain in control of the fight. Vlad wouldn't take any chances. Later in the fight, Lyle would fatigue, and that's when Vlad could win by kayo.

Still, it's a dicey fight, because any single big right hand from Lyle could end the bout instantly. Lyle was a very, very tough and talented guy.

 

It's good to know somethings never go out of style. Like the incredible over-estimation of mediocre 70's heavyweights. Among the many heavies active in the 2000's that I pick to defeat Lyle are (drumroll...) both Klitschko's, Lewis, Byrd, Brewster, Chagaev, Sanders, Maskaev, Tua, the depleted Tyson, Sam Peters, Povetkin, Ruiz, Golota... ugh...

 

My guess is that after Quarry schooled him, he stopped relying as much on heymakers and focused more on boxing his opponents. If this means anything, he knocked out Mathis with one punch. But I think his epic battle with Foreman along with Foreman's testimony is enough to classify Lyle as an elite puncher for his time.