Lennox Lewis fought a very similar fight against one David Tua which was a boring stink fest, the only difference is that Lennox had ample opportunity to hit Tua because Tua attempted to hit him all night. In this case, you had a 6'4, 212lb heavyweight fighter in absolutely great shape and apparently size alone was the reason he couldn't compete with Wladimir? Ok, what about Mohammad Ali? 6'3, 214lb or Mike Tyson, 5'1, 214lb - they're not going to compete either? The fact remains, Wladimir couldn't force this fight because Haye wouldn't allow it. Haye showed some great defensive slickness but like the Mosley/Pacquaio fight, he was unwilling to engage consistently with Wladimir because of the risk/reward situation. The fight was boring, but Wladimir continues to show the dominance he has as champion. Tell me after seeing this, how any of you expect fighters beneath 6'5 to beat him?
Vitali is a different case to Wlad, because he's technically quite sloppy, he hits like a jack hammer and utilises his iron chin combined with the ability to throw weird angles to just detonate the guys he fights. Wladimir for me represents the first fighter above 6'5 who puts together technical brilliance around footwork, a good jab, good defensive fundamentals and the ability to be accurate into a huge frame. That's what makes him near undefeatable on a H2H prime for prime debate against any other fighter. I've been saying for years that Mohammad Ali would have no chance against Lewis or either Klitschko brother solely for the fact that their jab would dominate his all night, he'd never be able to set himself to get in and ultimately he's be beaten up and worn out throughout the fight. This fight here with Haye shows the reasons why, Haye was a slick defensive fighter who had relatively quick hands and was in great shape, the only chance he had to land punches meant he was taking too many punches in return. I don't care who you are, if you go 1 punch for 1 punch with a Klitschko, you're probably not going to win.
Three guys beneath 6'5 already beat him. He was stopped all three times. His conquererors were not, and will never be, ATGs. Not saying I don't see your point tho. But those things called FACTS tend to mess up many an argument....
Any elite heavyweight from 1900-1995 beats the Klitsckos. That was one of the worst displays of boxing I have ever seen in the ring. Haye is a B level cruiserweight at best. Has no significant victories even in this shitty era of heavyweights. And horrible footwork. Yet Wlad could barely land a punch on him. And got his own face busted up. You are simply a fan of one of the most worst heavyweight champions in boxing history. During the worst era in heavyweight history. And fighters that are single handedly destroying the sport. And have made a mockery of boxing most prestigious division. Please stop bringing up Wlad's size. He was twice the size of Haye and looked like ****.
Then you're a ****ing moron. Wlad could barely land a power punch on Haye. And he'd beat Ali? Ali the greatest defensive heavyweight in history. Best footwork in heavyweight history. That slow robot who couldnt stop a B level cruiserweight in Haye would beat THE GREATEST? Stop watching boxing clown.
:rofl:rofl:rofl beating a very flawed Haye, who fought a lazy fight now means you can beat superior ATGs like Ali, Louis, Tyson and Holyfield. BTW 3 Journeymen level fighters un 6'5 stopped Wlad
But that's like me pointing out Mohammad Ali being beaten in the amateurs to be honest. Or saying that Bernard Hopkins can't be considered great because he lost his first fight. Wladimir upon entering his prime as a HW fighter (28-35) has been practically unbeatable. His losses came earlier in his career and he fought back and improved out of sight. It's actually a shame more boxers don't exist like the Klitschko brothers, where early losses/setbacks didn't stop them improving their craft and coming back as more complete fighters, why these days we have people like Calvin Brock or Ibragimov or so who get their ass kicked and never show their faces at the top level again is beyond me. Wladimir losing in his past doesn't take away the argument that the current Wladimir who has learnt from those mistakes and become a more complete fighter is potentially the hardest H2H fight for anyone not named Vitali out there. I believe Vitali beats Wladimir prime for prime, but I don't see anyone else doing it.
:rofl:rofl:rofl He had over 40 fights when both Brewster and Sanders stopped him, he was with Steward when he froze up and nearly got stopped by Peter, he froze and TOS gave him hell. All big punchers gave him problems, tonight he barely landed anything big on a lazy CW who had been dogging him for years. BTW a shot Lewis beat Vitali.
I think a prime Holyfield would have had the style to beat Wlad... And he certainly would have the balls and chin to work his way inside.... Holy wasnt the biggest one punch guy,, but he definitely hit hard enough to hurt and eventually Ko Wlad... Tyson would ko him too although if Wlad last past 6 or 7 he probably wins....
Rahman gonna beat that AZZ after he gets in shape. Dont discredit ToeMaker...he just got a lil bit of bad luck and a never-ending raging hard on for public attention.
To add to what 'The Great' said above, Steward was actually with Wladimir when he lost to Brewster in Vegas. Sure, I think he deserves credit for being able to get back in the upper echelon of HWs, but in these last several years there hasn't been much difference between upper and lower in the first place. Vitali, the last man to fight LL, is still the best HW in the world right now imo. Haye made the right choice for himself by choosing not to face him in favor of Wlad. Vitali BLUDGEONS Haye.