Hey, don't really care what takers I got on this, but of my years of interest in boxing, I've never had much interest in fights of this century until recently. I'm still not particularly interested in most fights today either, but was wondering on some suggestions of good Wlad fights (even tho I'm familiar with him a little bit) to watch, since I heard he could be boring often. What fights of his are good action fights/great knockouts/ interesting tactical matchups?
Pulev. Fun shootout that Wlad dominates. AJ. War that Wlad should have closed down, let his man off the hook.
Big Klitschko fan here but honestly most of his best fights are his losses. Well namely Brewster and Joshua. Both are really good. As far as his wins definitely the Pulev bout. Have to think about other wins, maybe the Calvin Brock bout
It wasn't until he lost to Sanders and Brewster that he became so boring. His wins over Ray Mercer and Jameel McCline were pretty watchable. His wins over David Bostice and Derreck Jefferson will show you why he had so much hype behind him on his way up the ladder. I also think his win over Davarryl 'TOS' Williamson was a fascinating bit of history. His stock was so low and he was so obviously gun-shy that it was a gripping fight to watch. With that win he started to get his legs under him. It was like watching some inch their way back from rock bottom. Of his title defenses, the Ruslan Chagaev win was pretty impressive. Chagaev was a bit like the Ernie Terrell of that generation: a guy who was clearly talented and tough, but was also clearly not good enough to meaningfully rival the best heavyweight of the era.
Great points I agree with all of them. He was clearly gun shy against touch of sleep, and that flash knockdown nearly cost him the fight. Even though he was clearly up to me, as he constantly had to pursue him. The Mercer win was good, he looked amazing in the first round even Ray didn't know what hit him. I have to rewatch the Mcline bout, i just rememnber the stoppage being a little lack luster. McCline was a good heavy .
The Mercer and Shufford fights are fun beat downs. Wlad was fearsome back then. This content is protected This content is protected Of his title defences probably Pulev. Of his post title fights Joshua. This content is protected This content is protected My own personal favourite for tremendous back and forth action and edge of your seat brilliance is the Povetkin fight. By the end of the first round you just know you're going to be in for a treat. This content is protected
You have to be joking. This fight was a travesty and an utter indictment on Wlad's claim to greatness.
I couldn't agree MORE. If you've never watched much of Wlad, the best fights to watch are: * Wlad Klitschko-Sultan Ibragimov * Wlad Klitschko-Mariusz Wach * Wlad Klitschko-Bryant Jennings * Wlad Klitschko-David Haye * Wlad Klitschko-Alexander Povetkin * Wlad Klitschko-Tyson Fury Invite your friends, too. They'll love you for it.
I know a lot of people disagree, but, after re-watching the Wladamir-Mercer fight, it is clear to me that Wlad was a much better fighter BEFORE Manny Steward got involved. Better fluidity, nice combinations, devastating hooks. The only thing Manny Steward helped was protecting Wlad's weak chin. And, that was only by employing a painfully boring, jab-and-grab style. It is too bad. Because Wlad was much more skilled and athletic than the robotic Vitali. Had Wlad continued with his original style, he would ha e had far more fans. (Regardless of whether or not he lost a few more fights along the way)
Some of Wlad's better wins or performances: Schulz, Bostice, Barrett, Jefferson, Peter 1, Byrd II, Brock, Austin, Pulev. Wladimir was a purer, more stand-up boxer before the Sanders and Brewster defeats, imo. He didn't grab so much and really was a fine heavyweight boxer, but most of his best wins were one-sided and some of his best action fights are ones he lost, like Brewster I and Joshua. Those defeats in 2003 and 2004 and Emanuel Steward coming in to coach Wlad longterm made Klitschko the clincher and grabber we knew. When you look back at his career overall, Wlad was a very good heavyweight.
