Wlad perfected the art of making, especially smaller, fighters fight on his terms. But his defense relied to a very high degree on having a size advantage. And not having a proper guard or head movement was a big lack against guys that managed to come inside his reach and big guys with skills. Yes, he was old when he lost to Fury and AJ, but I think they would always trouble him. As would Vitaly and Lewis. No shame in that, since these four probably would trouble just about any HW ever, but give Wlad Louis's skill set and maintain everything else and he goes through them imo.
Louis is a deadly infighter. Wlad couldn't really do it. Why chat after that? Even if Wlad was a better fighter at jab and at mid-range, the dearth between their relative infighting skills is so colossal there's still nothing to talk about. The massive difference in the poll reflects the reality.
Hard to say TBH. I think it'd be a case that's not as obvious in advance, but obvious as hell in hindsight like his loss to Fury, if you actually somehow ran the series. If I had to pick probably Ali, Louis, Foreman and Tyson. Like I said, I think he'd do respectably overall though.
Wlad was very skilled. He won the gold medal at age 20, and achieved ring magazine's #1 pound for pound status at 245 pounds. Yes, he was more physically gifted as you mentioned, but I think the real separation between the two is defense and footwork. Louis had better combinations, best shown vs the mediocre competition he faced. Louis was outboxed by smaller men at times. Nothing of the sort happened to Wlad until he hit his very late 30's
Why should Wlad give up his range advantages of height and reach to get the acclaim for infighting skill? That seems counterproductive, at best, or more realistically, the recipe for a short career (see: Riddick Bowe). Wlad fought a big man's style and when in close used his enormous strength to control action.
He'd still be good but nowhere near as great as he was. I agree that his size was a major factor in his success.
This is the Best answer .Take away Wlads advantage s in size ,put him the same size as Louis then see how he goes on .
Wlad looked good beating on smaller opponents at long range - with the jab and the right-cross. I'm struggling to think of examples of him demonstrating skills beyond that, however.
Then he wouldn't fight the big man style that he fought. He had more than enough athleticism to master a different style, especially if he was smaller. He mastered the style that best fit his attributes.
Wlad was made to give up range advantages on film, often. And he showed infighting skills that were extremely limited. For the most part (though not exclusively), they were comprised of holding and leaning. What acclaim would he receive if he did that more often?