Vitali Klitschko vs Ali

Another H2H mythical matchup so just a persons own opinion as to who they fancy for the win. Take into account that Ali had his jaw broke against Norton as early as the second round and fought on for the full 12 rounds losing a split decision,on the other hand Vitali whilst dominating against Byrd retired after the 9th round with a shoulder injury with only three rounds to go,neither did Vitali rematch him either to avenge the loss iirc. Vitali whilst certainly a strong fighter was to robotic and predictable for Ali who would out box him. Just look at Ali’s record and who he fought and beat,then look at Vitali’s record,who even is Vitali’s best win ? The best fighter Vitali fought stopped him in 6 rounds .

 

This is a myth kind of like the same myth that Nunn dominated Toney before the stoppage.

Only 8 punches separated them Byrd landed 44 percent of his punches compared to 26 percent for Vitali.

Byrd also had a weeks notice was fighting Vitali in his backyard and i believe Byrd's defence instigated the injury so i give Byrd credit for the win.

Ali had early stages of Parkinson's vs Berbick and had been fighting elite opposition since 1963-1981 he was completely shot by that point. Not to mention he'd been in way tougher fights than Vitali, and had fought way better opposition so this comparison is just silly it's night/day difference.

You cannot compare the ages of two fighters every fighters journey is different and Ali's professional career was way harder than Vitali's.

Well Ali never fought at age 40 so that is a pointless comparison.

Holmes schooled Mercer at age 40 and a had a competitive fight vs a prime Holyfield he'd give a 40 year old Vitali a close fight.[/QUOTE]

 

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Bro, stop with the 8 punch stuff. Vitali was dominating Byrd. If they fought again it would be the same lop-sided decision.

I don't understand how people don't get this. If you can't get this fight right, what fight are you going to get right?

 

Vitali wasn't dominating Byrd how can you be so wrong ? And then have the audacity to accuse me of not being able to judge a fight ?

Vitali never hurt Byrd once in the right.

Vitali was getting backed up by Byrd after 5th round.

Byrd almost doubled Vitali's connect percentage.

It was a nip and tuck tactical fight.

On what planet is that domination ?

As for the rematch ? Byrd was a top 5 rated Heavyweight all the years Vitali was active between 2000-2004. Not to mention Byrd become a belt a holder during this period yet Vitali never showed an interest in a rematch.

So obviously he didn't share your confidence.

 

Ali and Byrd weren't identical stylistically either. So I'm not sure what your point is. Byrd was actually slipperier than Ali was. Ali got hit a fair bit actually. Which he suffered from in his post boxing years.

Styles make fights. But size does matter which is why weight classes exist. Usyk and Breidis are similarly sized and were competing in the same weight class. Cooper would get the get the heavy bag treatment from Bivol and Beterbiev would brutalize him, and honestly he'd probably have his work cut out for him against someone like Callum Smith. Frazier would have more many more nights like Foreman fights if he competed at HW today - just too small.

 

It's an example of Vitali struggling against a smaller Heavyweight than Ali that was my point about size not being everything it's also about styles.

Vitali with his stiff arm punching style is going to struggle against a fast athletic boxer just like he did vs Byrd.

Vitali doesn't have Wladimir's technical skills, jab, or one punch power. So Vitali is more likely to struggle against that style more so than Wladimir.

That's why you see Wladimir totally dominate Byrd and Vitali couldn't make an impression on Byrd.

But Vitali was able to tank punches from a dangerous puncher like Sanders where as Wladimir couldn't because he isn't as durable.

As I said it's all about stylistic match ups not just size.

 

Byrd wasn't even trying to make Vitali cut the ring lol, Even stylistically Klitschkos arm punches would miss their mark consistently and Ali threw more body punches against taller fighters, was a superior jabber despite the size difference, faster, used more angles, constantly circled and always looking to open you up with feints.

Vitali would run Ali close but he'd get frustrated. Ali is overrated but his resume is leagues above Klitschkos.

If Cooper dropping Clay was indicative of his durability rather than a vulnerability to the left hook then by logic anyone who was bigger, better, and hit harder than Cooper should've given Ali nightmares but that really didn't happen

 

Couldn't stop Kevin Johnson, but sure, lol.

 

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"Vitali keeps on fighting midgets"
"Vitali's arm punches are what let him outwork Ali"
"Ali couldn't bust a grape"
"Why did Ali clinch all the time because its obvious Vitali is much bigger and stronger"
"stupid ass fight I never liked boxing anyway"

 

I've never seen a fanbase so much in denial of the number 6 and the existence of continent finding aves.

 

This is where Ali is the favorite in every single matchup ever and going forward. He's just quicker, smoother, smarter in the ring and with superior will and physical attributes.

Out 10 fights the singular fighter that might possibly win 2 or 3 is Roy Jones Jr.

You can all go home now.

 

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The amount of people here saying that Vitali would beat Ali, let alone knock him out when Liston, Frazier, or Foreman couldn't, is pretty astonishing.

 

I've long wanted to create a boxing name for people who think size wins fights.

My wife suggested calling them Fiona's cause the love Shreks.