Is Vitali K. one of the best defensive heavyweights of all time?

Yeah, he did kind of have a Hopkins thing going on. . .

 

I agree that Vitali has better upperbody movement, and is the better counterpuncher due to his ability to slip punches, but I don't think it would be fair to Wladimir if you didn't factor in footwork as part of the overall defensive package.

I think he has some of the best footwork in history which makes him considerably hard to hit. That combined with his speed and especially his punching power, make his opponents very hesitant to engage.

But then again, as I stated his accurate punching power plays a signficant role in keeping his opponents tenative.

 

Reflexes as power are for the most part natural gifts. What would be the definition of skill when it's obvious that if you get 2 fighters following the same training, diet etc, we would most likely observe disparities in terms of speed, movement, power...

About the size, it's not that hard to understand that what you gain in reach and strength, you lose it in balance, speed and coordination.
Just as it's rare to find a very quick boxer (Malignaggi, Russell Jr etc) carry much power, you don't often see giants with good coordination and speed.

 

Good post. . . Was Sir Henry Cooper only 185 poudns? Weird, I was always under the impression he was a big bruising 200+ pounder. . . I'll be damned, he was! Thanks for that FYI I never knew. . Lol. . He did have Ali straight OUT ON ***** STREET. . ANd his corner cheated. . .

 

Here's a little piece i pulled from an article analysing who was the all round best HW in history


A fighter’s defensive ability is defined as boxing skills used to avoid punches. Classic defense is the ability to slip punches with the movement of the head or bending at the waist, parry with the open glove (or closed glove), block jabs with the rear hand, block punches at the elbow, and properly hold ones hand so as not to be open for counters. Another part of defense is “defensive tactics”, such as clinching, smothering, and the use of the crouch or the bob and weave to change ones target level, and turning sideways to offer less of a target (as Joe Louis did among others).
The only fighter worthy of a ten is Jack Johnson who was one of the best defensive fighters of all time, a master at glove and elbow blocking, parrying, feinting, smothering, as well as the clinch.

 

Ali
Tyson
CHRIS BYRD
Eddie Machen
Jimmy Young
Jersey Joe Walcott

There's 6.

And all of the gentlemen above displayed superior defense to Vitali against vastly superior opposition. But there is an argument for rating Vitali's defense in the top 10, so i guess you can consider him an ATG defensive heavyweight :conf

But really, it's hard to rate Vitali in any capacity because of his **** tier resume and quality of opposition faced. In his enitre career, he's only fought one elite fighter and one semi-elite fighter, lost to both and showcased 0 defensive wizadry in neither match. Easy to look untouchable against a bunch of fat slobs & glorified tomato cans.

 

You've had my opinion.
I was replying to cardinal Klit licker Rico who tried to claim Jack Johnsons defence was akin to John Ruiz.

So you keep saying... without backing it up with anything. It's just your opinion mate, stop trying to push it on us like it's fact.

Your boy has fought 1 good fighter and left the ring needing over 60 stitches due to injuries caused by punches... so no, i'm sorry... you're wrong

 

I will summarize your opinion about Vitali and his opposition:
1) Anyone that he beat is a bum.
2) The only two opponents he's faced you consider "elite fighters" are surprisingly the ones he "lost" to (yet while being ahead on the cards but let's be biaised and not mention it). If Vitali had hurt his shoulder against Gomez, he would be "elite" too...
3) You're a moron. :hi:

 

After Lewis, Byrd is far & away the most accomplished "Heavyweight" (Middleweight) that he's ever faced. And he got outboxed for half the fight and then was STOPPED.

And yeah, it's just a coincidence that these sudden freak injuries & menstruating face vaginas mysteriously pop up everytime he faces a Heavyweight (Or Middleweight in Byrd's case ) above B- level. :yep

Strangely, no face vaginas pop up & "lucky" fluke injuries occur when he faces the Sosnowki's & Obed Sullivan's of the world.

 

Jack Dempsey was only 180 lbs when he went up against 245 lb Williard.

Joe Louis was what, 210, going up against 265 lb Carnera.

Size isn't indicative of punching power.

And smaller guys have speed.

 

Enough to undersand and appreciate what he's doing in the ring. Apparently, you completely dismissed him or you don't see or understand what you're watching.

Many of the defensive nuances in Williards game were copied by the Klitschkos, which is smart considering that they work and make them much harder to hit.

There are no Jack Johnson's in today's heavyweight division nor any Jack Dempsey's to test them.

 

Did you not see the thread last week asking who was Vitalis best win? when the conclusion was that Corrie Sanders the part time boxer was his best win?

 

:rofl:rofl:rofl
Stop it... my ribs can't take any more :nut

 

:rofl this is some funny ****.... won't go down well with the Klit Lickers though

 

Byrd won 2 rounds. What fight were you watching? Stopped? :roflatsch