Bruno would beat Vitali IMO. If he wins the battle of the jabs with Wlad he wins, that I'm not 100% sure about, a genuine 50-50 fight IMO. Wlad knows how to survive, Bruno is durable enough that, even though he didn't really know how to survive at his best, he'd probably be able to ride out rough moments against a guy who isn't a compact power puncher or devastating finisher. If Rahman can last that long taking punishment, a peak Bruno can figure something out. Maybe the Bruno that survived all 12 against McCall and pumped his jab constantly might be the best choice against Wlad, I don't think he'd be hanging on like **** at the end against Wlad, who maintais the same pace throughout a fight. Or the more measured fighter that fought Lewis and got starched by a far better fighter than Wlad Klitschko (and even that Lewis was arguably better) I've said numerous times that the 'contenders'' from everybdivision from the late 60s onwards could probably clean up today. The 90s HWs especially, they were an athletic, beastly bunch. Lewis didn't fight him but I imagine Ike Ibeabuchi would fare well against The Klit Bros. as well. He'd certainly crush Haye whenever he felt like it :yep
If anyone says Tua I won't be responsible for my actions. The most overrated tub of lard I can remember.
With Adamek, Solis and a Haye that has just beaten Wlad Vitali would place well despite how horrible he is to watch. He wouldn't have anything that really stands out but would've essentially cleared out a division way past his prime. That would go in his favour. Harry Greb is an odd guy that makes my top 40, but I think he would. The amount of contenders he beat (often before, and more impressively than Dempsey) is astounding for a Middleweight champion
I've already shown my appreciation for Mercer, the Klits aren't mobile or quick enough, they'd both go down IMO. Brutally.
At the moment zero and I see nobody he has beaten thus far becoming an ATG. If he beats Solis and Adamek convincingly this year that would certainly see him moving up my rankings, Adamek is not that small, has fought weighing 100 kilos and seems to average around 98 kilos at HW, quite similar to Ali who was one of the bigger HW's during his day.
Gaz, He has more depth. Where would you place Langford then (unless you count the 'Mexican Heavyweight title', that was bad ABC bull**** but 'back in the day' :rofl)? Norton (Never 'won' it did he?) I don't know if you're joking though Either way, the top 30 might look odd if only people who held a title have to be accounted for. Actually I know you're joking, as by your logic Michael Bentt would have to be held in higher regard than Greb, nice try mucker :good
Vitali can only beat Adamek and/or Haye with the Hatemakers October deadline, where does he stand with Solis and 1 of em? I havent done a list (I intend to) but id be surprised if hes better than 45-50 mark all things considered. And ATG Vitali is not, so my point stands manning
Precisely. Solis and Adamek would be his careers best annual work, that says it all for me. Adamek is a decent fighter, got a lot of respect for him but he's not a legacy maker now is he. Not in a Holyfield of '99 sense... Im actually impressed with his movement up the ladder and taking on decent competition all the way up but his heavyweight record is faded fighters and close fight with always out of shape Arreola. He'd be one of the better names on Vitalis record, not on Lennox' who'd would rip him aprt
briggs was an awesome fight and a good win, damn briggs has some chin/balls.. but not chin balls cos thatd be gay
So many to choose from, i like the Morrison 'performance' personally i think that was Lennox on his best night, combining the puncher of his early career and the methodical, patient, technical boxer after Steward got a hold of him. Not the greatest opponent and in some ways made for him, but that night was Lennox at his peak for me. In terms of best win i'd probably just go with Rahman II, with Golota and Ruddock up there. Although it was a **** fight i also loved the Tua performance, masterful application of the science. I can't rank him above big George overall though, he'd probably be around 5th all time on my list. Imagine a combination of the monster punching, aggressive Foreman of the 70's, with the ring IQ and smartness of the 40+ year old Foreman....
I tell you something, Bruno would have beaten Wlad circa 2000-2006 but the Wlad since the first Peter fight is a points defeat for Big Frank. Vitali? Bruno could take some huge shots but I think Vitali's accuracy would have been too much.
I think you're being harsh on Vitali if you can't get him into the top 50 heavyweights of all time to be honest... OK, we all know that his era wasn't littered with great heavyeights, possibly the worse ever according to some commentators, but he did beat what was out there and came back after 3 years out and continued where he left off. Wlad, IMO, ranks higher, but both are top 50.
Gaz, do you know there's footage of Sam Langford Vs Joe Jeanette on YouTube???!?! How the **** did I miss that?????