Scrub AJ out of the picture and substitute these guys in instead, who wins? Trevor Berbick from the Ali ft? Shannon briggs from the Foreman ft? Danny Williams from the tyson ft? Jumbo cummings from the Frazier ft? Cooney from the Norton ft?.
Even the Cooney that ripped apart Norton? I know Ken was shot and had issues with the big bangers, but Cooney could have hurt wlad a lot faster than Joshua did. And Berbick could have put up a awkward fight. Williams beat a shell of Tyson, but he had heart and a decent punch. And he would have been up for a scrap.
Cooney was a giant for his era against Wlad he's be battling someone his own size, who moves better and has a great Jab. Norton always lost when he went backwards. Wlad much stronger than Cooney too. I mean he would have a "chance" but strongly favor Wlad. Williams had heart but Vitali who was not the puncher Wlad was banged him around the ring don't see him winning. Berbick too clumsy he gets outboxed he kind of reminded me a little of Danell Nicholson
Fair enough comment s. Have to remember though, despite giving AJ a great fight he was definitely on the slide. He did retire after that, so he must have realised he had nothing left to give. Sometimes a fighter on his last legs can lose unexpected to a much more inferior one. Wlad just put up the fight of his life before saying goodbye against Joshua. Of the guys I mentioned I'd probably give Cooney the bigger chance. Wlad may never recover from a early onslaught and could even be another sanders type loss.
I give Cooney the best chance as well, but he is not Sanders, sanders was a southpaw (gerry was too but fought orthodox), and Sanders had better hand speed. As for Wlad, he gave a great fight, mostly because he came into the ring in great condition. And had ton of experience. Athletically he is pretty shot, his Jab is much slower, he doesn't throw the right hand often and the left hook which used to be deadly has to be pulled back and fired - reflex is gone. Watch how many times Joshua easily ducks under it in that fight. It's totally telegraphed today. Wlad is smart man he knows he's not what he once was and is calling it quits at right time. 41 with 70 pro fights is old. Looking forward to Joshua's next few fights now should be fun but with Wlad and Fury gone lot of talent has left division
Its strange, but wlad has probably received more positive comments regarding his fight with Josh, than he did through out his championship reign. It took for him to lose but going out fighting for people to cheer him! Funny old sport is boxing.
Conney had a good shot of beating vlad good power decent skill.Berbeck was a big strong guy a bit like peter would go the distance. the others just have a punchers chance .imagine Cummings dropping that big right on vlads chops.
I'd favour Wlad over all of them. Let's not forget, he lost by an asshair against the guy that is probably the next big thing in boxing. If he'd done a Ward and nut shotted AJ in the 6th and stopped him, we'd probably be looking at him unifying with Parker and maybe Wilder. It was really almost an epic late run by him there.
they would all beat old wlad apart from jumbo and possibly briggs. joshua haas yet to prove he is above eurolevel, and eurolevel beat old wlad handily. prime wlad was evenstevens at eurolevel back in the day.
