How much time does Wlad have before he is past his prime?

Given Wlad's last couple matches against sub-par opposition, in which he looked less than specatular, I would say his prime years are over IMO, thats not to say he wont continue to dominate for a few more years, given how terrible the heavyweight landscape is, I just feel he's lacking in killer instinct and seems to be holding back on his punches more than anything.

 

Agreed, although I think he might have as long as three or four years before he starts to fade, based on his fitness level and his body type. The handspeed of his jab makes him unbeatable right now. Once that slows down a hair, opponents will be able to get inside on him and start knocking him out again.

 

Difficult to say every fighter is different, but I've seen nothing to indicate he's on the decline at the moment.

 

Wlad is basically in the same boat that Lewis was. Seems to happen with bigger heavyweights. They hit their technical prime AFTER their physical prime. So... in a couple years Wlad may be out of his physical prime... but may be a better boxer.

 

I'd say he has 2-3 years left of his prime...which is perfect, because in that time he can take on every last threat possible in the division.

 

If he fights till then----40 years old,,,,his skills are such a high level an his jab alone will be hard for anyfighter to beat,, that mean eight more years, he a health nut, so he is always going to stay in shape, he makes million every time he fights, so the money does not hurt,,,,He also said he wants to fight for several more years.....

 

Klitschko has 3 good years left I guess. If he wastes them by fighting guys like Hasim Rahman (I know he was a replacement) it won't be good for his legacy. I know the division is weak, but there are better opponents out there. The problem is not that he's fighting guys like that among more credible opponents like Thompson or Ibragimov, the problem is that he fights only twice a year - and if one of these fights is against someone like Hasim Rahman or Ray Austin he's wasting his time and prime. He should take on all comers and clean out the division while he's in his prime. It's not like he took much punishment in his last fights. Fight 3-4 times a year - Valuev, Chagaev, Haye, Gomez, Povetkin, Chambers, Dimitrenko, all of em. They're not great fighters but they're the best available in this time. HE should have insisted on fighting Haye. Now Vitali takes on Haye, completely ignoring JC Gomez, who is mandatory for the WBC belt - well if I was Wlad I would offer Gomez a shot at the IBF and WBO belts instead. Wladimir definitely has to do more in order to secure a good legacy, I know it's difficult with politics, the HWs getting injured so often and his own brother being his biggest rival (standing in his way), but he has to do something. Fight at least 3 times a year taking on all comers would be a start.

 

Well then if/when if losses, I suppose you'll says he was past his prime years ago. We'll see if you are honest if or when it happens.

 

I believe Wlad will ride his prime till 2010 at least, maybe 2011, just enough to become undisputed with all the belts and fight the best opponents who will add to his legacy. Maybe 6 more fights?

After that he will retire, don't think he will be fighting past 35 years old.

 

He is still prime, his boxing skills are definitely prime. Id say at least another 4 years. He stays in such excellent shape, its hard to imagine his physical skills suddenly just eroding. He would very conceivably fight to the age of 35 or 36

 

3 more years I would say. After that his athleticism will slip a little bit and he will be more vulnerable. I don't think he is past prime already, he is just for some reason more cautious and does not fully commit to his punches. But he has not slipped in speed and power, so he is still is in his physical prime. His skills are arguably getting better...yeah, I really hope he does not waste those years on any more Rahmans. Only top fights from here on.

 

He looked good against Byrd because Byrd has absolutely no power and he wasn't scared of him. Even though Rahman is well past it he still could potentially land a big punch, so Wlad took it real cautious. I don't think it's any indication he's past his prime.

 

I think Klitschko is not yet in his prime and he will have at least 5 more years.

Reasons: He never was in a fight which took a lot from him. His fights are more or less hard sparring sessions. So he never lost a lot of substance like f.e. Brewster did.


He never had serious injuries in his career so far.

He lives healthy, no weight issues...

In an interview with a german newspapaer he said, he is at 90% now. He feels, he isn´t yet in his prime....

 

Should be good for another 4 or 5 years yet.
Arguably his most crucial years are coming up. This is his chance to really grab that brass ring.