I wouldn't bet on any of the above to put a dent in Wlad's armor. Klitschko has too much size and overall strength to be bullied by any of the above mentioned fighters. I think prime versions of Jersey Joe and Archie Moore have fighters chances of surviving the early rounds and out-boxing Wlad. Very tough task though. Ezzard Charles would give him a serious fight, but again the size and atheleticism factor would favour Wlad.
He probably beats them all. Ezzard Charles, Gene Tunney, and Michael Spinks would be the toughest fights IMO.
I think Wlad wins all of these matches. No small fighter without big time power is going to beat him...and the smaller ones with power better have some defense, a solid chin and skills if they are going to come out on top.
I wouldn't count any of them out except perhaps Jones. Walcott clearly has the best chance because he is not particularly small and has dangerous power. He is no Chris Byrd or Eddie Chambers. Moore is something of a superheavyweight killer and should not be counted out. Charles is just going to be a box of tricks for anybody at his peak, regardless of stylistic issues and so is Tunney.
I don't see how showing Walcott or Moore against vastly inferior competition that was tall is any sort of gage as how they would do against the vastly more talented Wlad ... are we getting a Carmine Vingo clip next ? Seriously, it is a very interesting thread as all the fighters mentioned were better than Wlad but would be seriously challenged to defeat him straight up because of the overwhelming size advantage. I think Michael Spinks beats him. I see Wlad beating all the rest but Moore has the best shot .. Walcott next but I always was him as less risk taking ...
If James Toney can compete with best today at 5"9 and fat and out of condition, Archie Moore,Walcott and Charles would DEF be competitive with a bit of style adjustment and a quicker start due to 12 rds. I say there skill level is way above the average Heavy these day like they say " What I forgot you'll never know"
Jersey Joe - His craftiness is hell for anyone. Thing is can you see him get past that Wladimir jab? I can't see him consistently getting past the jab enough to either KO Wladimir or to win on points. I see a dull UD for Wladimir. Ezzard Charles - He has the best chance IMO. His accuracy in his combinations is what can do it. I think he has the footwork and speed to get inside Wladimir's jab and land his combinations, especially that right hand. On the inside Wlad will be holding but Chrles is small enough to whack away whilst being held. I think Charles could KO him whilst losing on the cards in the mid rounds. Archie Moore - A swarmer who would get underneath that jab and bring in the left and right hooks into the body of Wladimir and then bring them up to the head. I think he could get consistently on the inside and KO Wladimir aswell. James J Corbett - Nothing he can do better than Wlad IMO. Wlad will keep him on the end of the jab and probably force a stoppage IMO. Gene Tunney - Very clever footwork and an excellant judge and controller of range. Exactly what is needed to beat Wlad, as McGrain pointed out before. The thing is Wladimir is a good few inches taller and I dont think Tunney has the greatest head movement to get inside that jab, and he wont be out jabbing Wlad from the inside. A very dull MD for Wlad, as not much work is done by either. Micheal Spinks - I havent seen Spinks at Heavy so cant comment. Roy Jones Junior - His speed might prove some problems but hes going to get KOd by a left hook or a straight right at some point.
Wlad is an interesting subject from a purely stylistic standpoint. He has, I feel, a very good chance of sweeping this clutch, although Moore and Charles would be tough tasks. The other fighters not mentioned here- Frazier, Marciano, Schmeling- would all have their work cut out for them against Klitschko.
Wlad is a far different match up that anyone Toney fought at heavyweight. I do not think Toney would have done well in such a match up.
i think spinks would have stood a great chance judging on the holmes and cooney fights i dont think he would have stood like a statue against vlad he would have given him angles and hit him and moved i think vlad beats the rest
Hoff was European Champion and undefeated. Valdes was the # 1 rated contender by Ring Magazine These were not two oafs in there, but accomplished heavyweights for their respective eras. It certainly gives us a gage to how moore and walcott deal with a big ranked contender with some skills...and how they may adopt a similiar game plan against a more skilled big man.
If Wladimir fought all of these guys in succession, with sufficient rest and training between fights, I would bet the farm that he would not go 7-0. That bet would be the closest thing to a lock I've ever seen! In my opinion, Tunney would probably beat him, Walcott would probably beat him, Charles would probably beat him, and there could possibly be a surprise loss in there someplace as well. 4-3 or 3-4 would be a good predictions of Wlad's outcome with those guys...again, in my opinion, of course. And 4-3 or 3-4 would be no disgrace with that group! Wlad's a pretty good fighter!