How the dominant heavyweight champions lost their crowns, and did people see it coming?

I expected Vitali and Fury to win tbh. I knew Fury was very good from seeing his early fights and the Klitschko's were always highly regarded.

 

It's mostly age related. Sometimes it's just getting caught by a puncher.

I don't think Johnson or Dempsey were dominating champions, they avoided the top competition as champion, and the majority of their title defenses were either vs the too small or not very good in general.

 

defenses against too small or not very good.....sounds like Wilder

 

Wilder was never a lineal champion. Just an alphabet champion. But there are similarities in picking weak title defense opponents.

 

Johnson went like 26 rounds with Willard in the scorching heat. It might not have been expected to them back then but to us with common sense it was inevitable

 

A myth. Havana in April is about 76 degrees on average with a monthly high of 86.

Willard's body punching hurt Johnson and slowed him down, almost finishing him with a body shot in round 25. Before that round, Johnson had gas left in the tank. Reading, Willard's corner told him to pace himself. Johnson went for the stoppage a few times but could not hurt Willard. The filmed rounds, what's left of them show a close fight.

 

I felt Fury really could be a threat to Wlad. Wasn't that surprised to see him win.

 

Even Willard complained that it was hot. I was more getting at the 26 rounds though. After 26 rounds (of a projected 45!) it's not surprising the tank wasn't there.

Also, 76°F that's like 24°C right? That's a hot day in Britain let me tell you

 

Maybe this will come as a surprise to you, but Havana can be very humid, which makes it drastically hotter than the temperature indicates. Same old story with you about Johnson

 

I admit I didn’t expect Fury to beat Wladimir. Especially given that it wasn’t too many fights prior to that when Fury was decked by Cunningham. Chisora made him work hard at times too.

 

The days of April are glorious ones in Havana, Cuba. ... There is a slight increase in humidity, as the end of the dry season nears, but beachgoers hardly notice as they soak up the spring sun on Havana's beaches. In April most days in Havana are sunny, and there is very little precipitation.
Holiday Weather › havana › averages

^^^ There you have it. Doesn’t sound very humid to me. Wether you will accept facts is up to you. Also back then people were used to being out doors and sweating.

Might was well clean out the rests of the myths. Do you think Johnson took a dive in this fight?

 

It isn't just the temperature.
Havana in April is extremely humid , you need to change clothes often and shower several times a day and that's just from walking around sight seeing.
I know this because I was there in April 3 years ago.

Johnson and Willard were in that ring for over 2 hours, and fighting for 78 minutes.Willard said it ,"was hotter then hell in there". He should know.

 

It is very humid in April.