Why does this thread have to proceed so predictably, with people who say Golota was great on the one hand and garbage on the other? We all know Golota did not beat an elite fighter in his era (mind you an era most acknowledge as being much better than this one) because he was simply not a complete fighter. Particularly his mental immaturity in tough spots and his slow starts destroyed most of his chances. But I think most people can still see that his skill set was quite high, better than 99% of HWs fighting today. Imagine Golota with Adamek's mental toughness and you have one competitive and possibly elite fighter. Of course, this is just fantasy but its the reason why people ask what could have been with Golota. His endless comebacks and improved mental state much later on is what endeared him to many and the reason why people wanted to see him with a belt.
Sweden Sweden Your rules are ridicoulous.To bann boxing, hehehe Your administration and lawmakers seems like they know what is the best for citizens.There is no freedom, this social model is just ridicouluos BTW Unemployment benefits on so high level aren't fair, just demotivating Swedish welfare state TO bann boxing well what an idea Peopla are free so if they want to box they should have a chance , if they want to die in the ring it's their choice and their problem From the other hand Golota was a quitter and rather a shame not pride for Poland
I would agree with that BUT Wlad has a better jab and as mentally challenged as he could be, he is no where near as terrible as Golota, who simply fell apart against Bowe & Grant.
Only a great fighter could abuse and mutilate Riddick Bowe over 17 rounds like Golota did. Great fighter with flaws but great fighter. Holyfield, Lewis had five fights to beat Bowe but they could not inflict the damage that Golota did.
I don't like how Golota rarely put his weight behind his punches. Technically he was very sound, but times called for him to throw big looping shots on occasion and he never did so when he needed to. In his fight with Bowe this was apparent, even though he was winning he could have had Bowe out of there if he actually committed to his shots. Tyson basically did not respect his power either in their fight.
Also the video posted on the first page was an awesome KO. Gołota was a tank and had all the physical/technical skills to be a dominant HW champion, but mentally he just didn't put it together the way other guys could. What I don't get is Magic's ******ed habit of calling him "GolATTA" and Adamek "Adamka."
Second Bowe fight should have been stopped more than once, it's hard to even watch that beating now knowing the shape Bowe is in and knowing his corner just left him in there and the ref didn't stop it.
No doubt. Guy's a scumbag through and through from all that I've seen. And the shame (but at the same time, credit to him) Bowe was such a warrior that he wouldn't stay down and was tough as hell to drop.
Bowe was phenomenally tough. It also seemed like pride was holding Big Daddy up too, like he just refused to lose to an Eastern European. Back in the mid 90s Eastern European boxers were still unfairly perceived as inferior. Times have changed though.
Golota was also one of the very few who fought at HW with big names being an European. Wasn't he called the last hope of white people of American HW boxing scene? :huh