I was discussing Wlad in the general forum, arguing he can't be considered a top 15 heavyweight of all-time because he has neither beaten a great fighter or dominated without blemishes like, for example, the man in my avatar. A few people disagreed with me but wouldn't state their reasons why. So let me ask you. How can a fighter become a great? Is it simply a question of quality of opposition and/or dominance or is there any other way?
Quality of opposition, dominance of the chosen division or over a number of divisions, and how you win your fights. Wlad is a very very good HW, but would he be so good in the 90s? My feeling is not. The losses he has are to really weak opposition and his winning performances are rarely stirring. He's cautious and methodical which is only impressive when you're facing constant dangermen.
Wlad can become great in the same way Larry holmes became great, although Larry's opposition was still slightly better than Wlad's.
Its all to do with the manner in which you win fights. You can be a great fighter with a weak underachieving legacy. (Roy Jones) Or you can be a average fighter with a good overachieving legacy - (Carl Froch) Even when Roy Jones was beating up Taxi Drivers and Garbage Collectors - you could see he had real special athletic ability and was way more talented than say Floyd Mayweather for example.
Yeah, I agree with this. I think Wlad's a good fighter but in a weak era when there are no greats around to beat, he would need to be a lot more dominant than he has been. He's obviously picked up a few good wins but the losses he's had were to very poor opposition, and it spoils his legacy. If he'd only lost to Purrity, I think he'd have a case to become a great himself but the losses to Brewster and Sanders are very bad and will always prevent him from being listed amongst the divisions all time greatest.
Probably. Villa looked flat tonight, mate. The first time I've seen them in a while and I was surprised at how poor they looked. Are there many calls for McLeish to be sacked from Villa fans?
I don't think Wlad is a top 15 he but I do think Vitali is. Vitalis only losses are through injury or disputed, the way he returned after so long and took apart a reasonable champion and my belief that there's not 10 heavyweights through history that could beat him In Wlads losses he has lost decisively, always looks uncomfortable under pressure and is always one clean shot away from being hurt.
Vitali crushed Hide. He bashed Lennox Lewis about. The manner of his performances suggests he is a great Heavyweight - top 15 or even top 10 ever lived.
Probably look for something like this.. -A number of top class wins (Against elite/world class fighters) -Timing of victory's. Ie. against good/great fighters in peak -Manner of victory's -Top of respective divisions for a number of years. (Dominant) -Special quality's/ability to adapt *something that sets a fighter apart from rest* Sadly for Wlad the top of my list he doesn't have many who fit that bill...