There weren't any tough opponents for him. Tim Witherspoon was the toughest guy around at the time. It was just a really weak era.
Vitali versus Sultan Ibragimov would have been interesting. I think Sultan may have been too slick for Vitali. Wladimir could keep up with him and even ahead of him but I don't think Vitali had that kind of athletic ability and Sultan's chin could have withstood Vitali's power at that point in his career.
A nobody. Went life and death with the talent-less , lumbering oaf Ray Austin. His only other note worthy win was a near 280 pound Briggs who was too fat and suffering from chronic asthma so bad he was barely able to throw more than 3 punches a round.
Ibragimov was great, nobodies don't win silver medals AND world titles. Has some good wins over Briggs, Holyfield(past it but still game), and Whitaker. Resume wasn't the thickest, and he retired before reaching his full potential but barring the Klitschko fight he was an extremely exciting fighter. Fast hands, nice power, excellent combinations. Too bad he didn't stick around after losing to Wlad, he still could have achieved some things.
Crafty southpaw with fast hands, modern day Barney rubble Agree about his fight vs Wlad being better than the Haye and Povetkin fights but that's like having HIV instead of AIDs Would have been nice if he came back Wonder how he fairs vs Chagaev, Haye and Povetkin