It is clear to me what was Johnson's gameplan in this fight now. I wondered what he would do to beat vitali now I know. His 1st goal was to tire vitali out through making him miss and the psychological game, taunting and trying to get Vitali mad. This was a massive failure and Vitali is too smart for that. Then he went to plan B. Plan B is to survive and not be a Vitali Ko victim and contribute to Vitali's KO %. So Johnson, you sure made plan B happen. You didnt get Knocked out. But you embarrassed yourself and professional boxing in the process. One thing I learned in this fight is that Vitali cannot use his left hand effectively. The shoulder roll was pretty successful in blocking the right. Vitali had the left hook, the check hook and the left upper open all fight long and he didnt capitalize. That tells me something about Vitali, he is essentially a right handed puncher who uses the left jab to set up the right. I never thought about this before, but I see it now.
I think his plan was to reopen Vitali's cut on his left eye (lol). With the jab. He saw that as his only possible chance.
One big difference that I think this brought to light for me, the difference between Wlad and Vitali as far as offense is concerned. Wlad has a very good left hook. See the Austin fight. If Wlad would have been in there tonight he woulda stopped Johnson with a left. Vitali doesnt have that punch in his arsenal, at least to the level Wlad does.
i agree he would used the left hook he would of done more damage also no 1/2 combination he used so good but he dominated johnson has a good chin !!!!!!
I think what we have learned is that to beat Vitali the shoulder roll can be effective, but I dont think that would work vs wlad because his left hook is very good. But, now I am thinking at his age now, Vitali is showing that he is a one handed fighter. This opens the doors for someone who can take advantage of that weakness.
Johsnon sounds a lot like Larry Donald to me. Good chin and decent skills but not enough to be the champ.
You just realized Vitali was limited? Wait till Haye fights him and goes after him. You'll see how exposed his limited/lack of defense looks.
If you see Vitali vs Williams you'll see he landed a nice double left uppercut body/head on Williams. So he's used his left hand very effectively in the past. Also he has that nice piston left jab that he throws behind his right which is unorthodox but effective.
good points RC. but not only did johnson use the shoulder roll effectively, often when vitaly jabbed, he would lean to his own right, thereby nullyfying vitalys right hand. johnson actually had a good gameplan, but was to fat to execute it better. johnson should lose 15-20 pounds of fat, gain much more mobility and work behind his jab, im sure he would become a much more tricky opponent for alot of fighters.
im inclined to agree.. johnson ackwardness and quite fast jab really troubled vitaly and just as you, i thought what would it look like if johnson had more mobilty and explosiveness.. after tonight, haye vs vitaly seems much more even to me.
This is one of the most boring weekends of boxing! The Haskins fight was dire and Vitali is a robot, a very good one, but christ he's boring. If Johnson is a legitimate challenger, can we pull the plug on the Heavies? I reckon you would get more action outside the Harvester pub down the road from my house that we got all weekend!
Yeah, I saw how exciting Haye was while running against Valouev, a fight he should have lost. Try to fight someone who does not fight back. Tyson went the distance with some fighters in his prime, so did Lewis.
im missing your point? is it because I have Haye as my Avatar? Agree that was a poor fight, end of arguement. Please put your toys back in the pram
