Wladimir Klitschko vs These Less Touted 70's Heavyweights

Look, to beat the current version of Wlad one has to either be able to elude the jab or take the jab and fire back accurately. Option#1 requires the sort of athleticism and conditioning only seen from a handful of HWs and this has been discussed at length on this forum. Option #2 requires a special kind of guy with a special kind of personality...a "F#@! You" personality. This option requires a guy to be willing to spitefully take shot after shot after shot and fire back repeatedly...almost to prove a point. While its a given that all of these guys have the power to spark Wlad, I don't see any of them consistently landing anything of substance after eating a jab. Remember, that it's not as simple as just eating hard punches and landing harder ones when confronted with someone of Wlad's stature. One must have good enough feet to be in position to land when necessary and be in good enough shape to do this for 12 rounds... along with having the power to make all that work pay off. I don't see any of these guys having the total package to do this against this version of Wlad. If we're focusing on fring contenders from the 60's and 70s, how about Jerry Quarry. I am a little biased here, but he's got a better chin than any of the guys listed and a better resume.

 

Physical prime perhaps, but as I regard Wlad as a technical fighter - as most do - I regard his prime to be the version we've seen since late '06, as I think technically, this is the best he's ever been and physically, he's still in top shape.

 

I haven't even seen film of Jeff Merritt. I know he was a bad man.
I cant really comment on how he'd do, but the others I think Wladimir could handle.

 

If we're talking "could", yeah, any of these could spark him.

If you wanted me to put money on the fights, I would bet on this current version of Wlad each time with little apprehension.

 

I would pick Wald to go 4-0 here, but he could be 3-1 with a KO loss. Wlad is tough to catch clean these days, and once fighters taste his power, they either go defensive or won't last for long.

None of the listed fighters have Brewster level chin.

 

If we throw in Shavers, Lyle, Norton, and Quarry, then Wlad certainly has some challenges :yep
Wlad would probably knock Shavers out early, but Shavers has a chance himself. Wlad has lost to worse fighters then him.

I think Lyle would knockout Wlad if it was pre 2006 Wlad. The current Wlad would go with a split decision.

Norton would have a chance to outbox either version of Wlad, although he does not do well vs punchers. He might well get a split decision.

I think Quarry would KO Wladimir, he would counter him over the top with the jab, and fire the right hand. Quarry has a great chin and very fast hands, and I really don't think Wlad could KO him. He also has decent power in his right cross and left hook.

 

Wlad´s chin is better than people think. He would go 4-0 there without many problems.

 

Well, I feel those 4 don't really stand a chance. these 4 do.

 

I am a big Wlad fan. I have been watching him since his amateur days. His chin is suspect vs punchers. Wlad has perhaps the shakiest chin of any Ring Magazine champion since Patterson. Well maybe its a bit better than Spinks.

Because Wlad is smart, he knows how to maximize his size, speed, feet, and hands, but he really is not hit that often. When he does get in trouble, he is now a master clincher.

While I think Wlad can take an occasionally hard shot, I would not rate his chin any better than average by a top ten fighter's standard.

 

Boxing isn't top trumps, you can't just list a few guys who can punch and say 'these guys would KO Klitschko'. In this sort of instance I think a fighter like WK should be given the benefit of the doubt unless a far more compelling argument can be made for these sort of guys

 

He did not once got knocked out cold, did he? If he would have a bad chin this is what would have happened. His chin is certainly not iron but´s it´s certainly better than he get´s credit for from most.
Same with Patterson btw.

 

I guess most of wlads problem are from bad balance(gotten better lately) not from chin.