Kirk Johnson came out "guns blazing" against Vitali and he didn't look good

I watched this fight a few times again now after the 300lbs Arreola picture surfaced. Kirk Johnson came in 15-20lbs heavier than he usually did for the fight again Vitali -- allegedly he did this on purpose to counter Vitali's superior weight and power but it just sounds like a sorry excuse for not dieting properly. Johnson and his team also said they will go seek an open fight, trading punches with Vitali toe to toe. Just like Henry Ramirez of Team Arreola was saying now.

Watch how the "trading" went. Johnson was missing every punch while he ate 3 out of 4 punches from Vitali. Johnson was reknowned as a relatively skilled, accurate counter puncher but he didn't hit jackshi** thanks to Vitali's awkward stance.

No jabs and not a single power punch ever landed. Certainly none of those wanna-be Tua left hooks ever landed.

Another thing is that Vitali worked to the body a lot. The 2nd knockdown was preceded by a brutal hook to Johnson's midsection that seemingly ripped Johnson's bloated abdomen and forced him to his knees.

If Arreola comes in at 275 and tries to swing wildly I fear he will look as bad and helpless as Johnson to even the most faded and aged version of Vitali. Vitali should try work to Arreola's body for the first two/three rounds and see if Arreola is soft there, then take out a gradually tiring Arreola within 6.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B75-HAV8Oac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahqaxFO7_vY

 

I didn't notice Freddie Roach in Vitali's corner untill now, wonder what role he was playing in this fight.

 

I love Larry Merchants comment on Vitali "harpooned the whale".

 

johnson wasnt that aggressive to be honest. he seemed to not have any ideas...jabbed to the body for a bit then started to get countered.
kirk was a late replacement wasnt he? just dont think he was ready, didnt have a gameplan and just hoped he might get lucky.

chris might do a bit better but i think he is gonna end up canvasised. to me he is too flat footed and has a limited defence. somthing that kirk even at 260 showed.



good luck to him tho

 

I believe Vitali was a replacement for Johnson, actually, against Lennox. The bout between Vitali and Johnson was scheduled when Lennox retired.

 

i love Vitalis staredowns man is cold as ice


also, look at how Vitali gets the crowd pumped up. Compare that to what his brother did at MSG against Barney Rubble.

 

atschdergh thanks man

forgive me ignore that part...still he wasnt prepared...i think almost everyone here can agree to that.

 

Do we really have to discuss the result of Vitali vs. Arreola?

Mark my words: No matter what game plan Arreola has, it won't help him. Vitali will win the fight via (T)KO.

 

kirk johnson actually a pretty good prospect with good punching power, he looked out of shape and very unprepared for Vitali.

 

Kirk Johnson was like 20 times better than Arreola.
It will take some sort of miracle for Arreola to not be destroyed.

 

I don't think Arreola will come in at 275. I think he will come in closer to 260. Either way he is going to get knocked out.

 

kirk johnson was really quite good. some serious set backs occured and he wasn't able to recover but still a very good fighter in his time. though is six years back i don't see the result being any different with arreola. it's like when every fighter thought the key was blitzing roy jones...until brian brannon did it and was absolutely pummelled for it. if you can't think of a good strategy to take into a fight, DON'T just blitz the guy. not unless you're tyson or he's ruiz. it sounds like arreola is (surprise, surpise) too lazy to bother with a decent game plan

 

Johnson had some skills, but chose not to use them or apparently to even train (he still would have lost, but maybe put up a better fight). Arreola has the not training part down.

Arreola does not have the skill for a game plan. He can't move, he's not fast, his defense sucks (I think he's chinny)

 

Classic line, yes.


And regarding the outcome of the Johnson fight, I guess that disproves those that say Vitali has to wear his opponents down over several rounds in order to KO them.

Johnson went in a round and a half.

Johnson looked to be better built underneath his fat. Arreola is obviously not as muscled underneath his fat, and I venture to say Arreola's supposed brutal power (if he can land it) is not going to be as effective he thinks it'll be on this level.

Vitali's punch tolerance is light years ahead of anyone Arreola has fought. Assuming Arreola can withstand the punishment he'll have to endure long enough to possibly get lucky and slide inside and land, which is doubtful.