Good question Rushman, that we will never know! Could have, or mabye not. that is a tough question to answer honestly. So many variables. Peace
Vitali beats: Liston Holyfield Tyson Frazier Marciano Dempsey Loses to Ali, Louis, Foreman; I'm up in the air with Holmes. There's a good chance that he'd beat them all, with modern training techniques, nutrition, enhancements, etc. But no, Vitali is right now likely around 30-35 heavy. He'll go up as well, as time usually reflects well on fighters.
No he had the potential to get into the top ten. But a failure to rematch byrd and a 4 year hiatus has worked against him big time. We can all see he had the potential to become legendary. But as it stands, the truth is he lost his biggest fights and doesn't really have any defining victories. It's a shame because without the lay off he could have made his mark and become the next dominant heavyweight. But history will show that accolade fell to little brother.
No. Wladimir is in line for Top 20 but Vitali? Not a chance. Which is sad considering I enjoy Vitali a lot more...
H2H he is top5 no doubt about it. Big, strong, technical boxer, with monster workrate and very good defensive with iron chin! alleways in best shape. only weakness: injurys!
Head 2 Head Vitali is certainly a beast, but based on longevity, domination and achievements (thus far) I don't think he deserves a spot among the top 10 right now. He'd have to string together another 3-4 solid wins, maybe one big defining fight. It gets tough considering his age.
I thiknk he's a top 10-20 ATG and would win against some of the top 10, and not be an easy fight for many of them. Ali, Louis, Holmes, and Foreman would own him, and Lennox already did.
lennox own him? did you see the fight and the scorecards? atsch vitali is stylisticly a nightmare for foreman! ali and holmes have not the punch to trouble vitali. but they can win a close ud, but it would be not easy.
I'm not a fan of either Klit just for the way they fight. If they were both 6" shorter they would never be as successfull as they have been. I'm sure a lot of people on here will have them high up in a HW ATG list but neither of them would make my top 20. This isnt me being a hater just my opinion. Its not their fault but they haven't fought/beat anyone of great ability, the contenders they have fought they have done in a boring safety first manner. Any of the guys you mentioned would have put on better performances against the Klits opponents. H2H Vitali would be a tough fight for anyone, he could be outboxed over 12 but it would take a great performance to knock him out.