Who has the better chance of becoming a HW champ?

plenty of big guys who have no footwork dave. Wlad has the ability to step back at just the right time...side step, pivoit...his guard is hard to get through,and when needs be...he can even slip and duck punches..but he does that very rarely now that he is with Steward..because its not smart for a tall guy to do (brings you into your opponents range and height) still...when a guy is on him..he can pull it out..but yea he does some stuff thats ugly and isnt classical defense, like clinching..still.it keeps him from getting hit.

 

Wlad's defense is as much about excellent footwork and movement as it is his jab and height.

 

We have no idea how good Haye's chin is at heavyweight since he's only fought light punchers. Of course, Harrison is not a huge puncher.

 

I assume your not including SNV in that?

 

You mean the guy who hasn't had a knock out in over 4 years? You must be joking. The last guys SNV KO'ed was Monte Barrett....and we all know everybody ko's Barrett. Yes, I was included the pillow-punching Valuev.

 

Nobody better start bad-mouthing Sugar! SNV=GOAT.

 

A-bomb

 

Sugar Niko doesnt want to kill someone in the ring, so he lets them last, what's wrong with that? I think you sir are joking.

 

That's hilarious. I was at the Ray Austin fight. I hate to insult fellow posters but why would anyone ever try and use this fight as proof of Wlad's defense?!?!?

Worst event I have ever been to.... I'm including kids plays and funerals in that.

Austin was fat, old, twitchy and amongst the worst opponents I've ever seen. I think he was trying the shoulder roll but in actual fact it just amounted to holding his hands low and allowing himself to be hit. Austin also didn't throw any right hands. It was a long time ago but I remember joking that he must have broken it in the dressing room. Also, the fight was over in 2 or 3 rounds and Wlad was literally jumping back to avoid Austin's hopeful jabs. Awful.

I didn't have to be there to know Tony Thompson was awful. He was slower than a rock and about as smart.

Wlad is incredibly lucky he wasn't born 5 years earlier.

 

Here's my point, if a fighter can not slip a punch and instead chooses to jump backwards every time their opponent twitches he's putting himself out of range and losing the opportunity to do damage.

Wlad is a runner. People don't say it enough. Cowards fight like that and it is not good defense. Good defense should still allow you to avoid getting hit but still be able to do damage in return.

 

Sugar Niko is about the most awesome thing I have heard in a long time.

 

Yes... yes they do at that.

 

Peter - he has the best chance (still basically no chance) cause Wlad can be KO'ed and Peter is decent.

Briggs and Harrison are **** and the gulf in class is massive between them and Vitali + Haye.