After Unification, where does Wald rank...

Excellent post.

 

I rank him just above "regional titlist" status.

 

I don't generally rate guys while they are still active and 5-10 years after retirement is more benificial in ranking the period as well, which by resume plays a large part of legacy. Wlad ranks ahead if Vitali legacy wise but I like vitali better in a h2h sense. So while I don't like ranking guys this early he is a legit top 50 already...quite possibly top 30 (and maybe 20 before all is said and done). I would not be surprised to see him unify and control a few more years and be a legitimate to 15 guy..nor would I be surprised to see him lose shortly and be a top 25+ afterthought.

 

Something similar happened to Jack Dempsey, Jack Johnson, Jersey Joe Walcott, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.

They are still ranked as Top20 heavyweights of all time.

 

But that's different Hater33 will explain.

And he always comes with FACTS.:deal

 

Yes, but they also fought and beat ATG's and hall of famers as well, something Wlad is yet to do. The guys you named also werent afraid to mix it up, even Lewis had times where he had to dig down deep and show his balls, against Mercer, Bruno, Vitali, he threw down with them and won in the end, even against Briggs he was severely rocked, but came back and knocked him out in the next round.

 

Didnt Wlad do that against Peter?

 

He didnt knock out Peter, I give him credit for that fight, though he did take a beating to get that win and had to clinch over 95 times just to stay on his feet. It's one of the few times I give Wlad the credit he deserves, he is 1-3 when it comes to digging down deep and winning.

 

The question is where would Wlad rank after unification, so that would include two wins over the following combination-Chagaev, Valuev, Maskaev, Peter(a second time), as well as his probable next fight, mandatory Tony Thompson. So you would have to add those three wins to his existing resume, and a record of 53-3.

I don't rate heavyweights past 15 or so, after that point it gets really murky. Even if he were to unify he'd need more work to get into the top 15. But the 20-25 range might be a legit and fair place to put him.

Once you get past the top 15 heavyweights or even a few more you start getting to the likes of Baer, Schmelling, Walcott, Fitzsimmons, Quarry, Ingo, Norton, Corbett, and so on. Guys you see pop up a lot in the top 20-25 range. If Wlad was 53-3, unified the belts, and added wins over those belt holders to his current resume, than would he not be every bit as good if not better than those listed above? He definitly would.

Wlad has the potential to crack the top 20 and maybe top 15 heavyweights of all-time, if he keeps winning, seeking out the best, hangs around succesfully for another 3-5 years, and increase his rate of 2 fights per year. He alaso has the potential to get ko'ed in one of his next fights and becomes just another heavyweight who could or could not be a top 50 heavy. His placement is totally up to him.

 

There's always a "yeah but..." with you.

:verysad

 

There were not three knockdowns in that fight. All you have to do is watch the fight and you will see. The most highly illegal punch in boxing was landed by Peter, the punc to the base of the skull, then the next time a shove, no punch landed. Check out the 12th round, Vlad should have finished Peter, but Emanuel told him to be careful. Vlad was between styles, but next time Vlad will murder Peter, Easily.

 

I don't call running, and "jab&grab" digging down deep...that was pure survival...

 

:happy

 

He's top 30

 

I think it's still too soon to rank Vlad all-time, but Vlad is definitely the best heavyweight fighting today. Time will tell. If only Don King does not keep Vlad from unifying.