Brother v Brother

I will take Wlad trained by Emanuel Steward around 2008/9 over every version of Vitali.

 

Wlad is more likely to lose badly because of his fragile chin but also more likely to score a knockout win because of his greater handspeed and power.

Vitali will likely go the distance vs everyone not named Foreman, prime Lewis, prime Tyson, and a few others. And even against those guys, there is a high chance he goes the distance with them.

But Vitali isn't as quick, doesn't hit as hard (more of an accumulation puncher), and nor does he have Holmes like skills.

Vitali beats any heavyweight less than 200 lbs just based on size and durability alone. But vs guys like Usyk, Ali, Holmes etc. he gets outboxed and loses competitive decisions.

Whereas Wlad gets blown away vs Foreman or peak Lewis but he also has a chance to beat peak Lewis by landing big. Vitali probably doesn't.

 

Wlad was the greater boxer and achieved much much more.

But I can't shake the feeling Wlad would never have been champion had Vitali not got injured.

Vitali was clearly more formidable and rhe better boxer in his prime.

 

Already mentioned but imo Wlad was the better boxer but Vitali was more the more formidable,durable brother of the pair .

 

lol

Vitali was never put dopped never mind put down tonnes of times and stopped by three average Joe opponents.

 

I think this sort of match up would be largely mental and emotional and I reckon as the older brother Vitali would take it. I don't think Wlad has it in him to beat Vitali, where as Vitali would beat Wlad.

 

Wlad is the better all-round fighter, but Vitali would knock him out.

 

Vitali wins as he is the much tougher harder man. Wladimir is the better athlete.

 

I agree.

 

God is too much of a Muhammad Ali fan to have let Wlad be born with a good chin. Because... who beats a durable version of Wlad?

 

Absolutely. Wlad maximised his talents, Vitali didn't.

If Vitali doesn't retire, Wlad is just known as his brother. Hell if Vitali didn't quit through pain, he'd have beaten Byrd on points.

 

It's a tough one TBH.

In a H2H match up between the two brothers I might favour Vitali.

Against the best Heavyweights past and present ? I'm not sure....

Vitali would probably do better vs big punchers like Foreman, Zhang, etc.

But I think Wladimir has a better style against boxer types because I think he has far better technical skills and is a considerably harder puncher aswell.

For example Vitali had all kinds of trouble vs Byrd injury or not where as Wladimir didn't lose a single round to Byrd in 2 fights.

But then Wladimir got blasted out by Sanders but yet Vitali matched up better vs him due to his iron chin.

I don't think you can conclusively answer the question because they both have strengths and weaknesses against certain styles.

Vitali’s strengths are.....

His workrate
His chin

Wladimirs strengths are.....

His technical skills
His punching power