Just watched Klistschko vs Mercer and wow! what a difference. He had incredible, varied offense. His balance (as noted by the commentary) was solid, he threw in fantasic combinations and his footwork was stellar. His defense was far better, more than leaning back and flailing; in the second, Mercer threw a wicked shot and Klitschko slipped in fantastic reflexes and speed. In almost every way, he was a superior fighter than the Wlad of now. Hell, even his chin seemed great as he took some decent shots. I'm aware that Mercer was shot but too often we forget that fighters can be made to look much worse than they are because of their foes. Mercer didn't decide to take a beating, he was forced to because of Klitschko's great offense. Now, I'm a BIG steward fan but his two biggest, recent charges (taylor, klitschko) changed to a more cautious, less exciting style. They were throwing less combinations, doing only enough to win and take little damage. Klitschko throws one or two punches at a time, his jab with far less authority, and stands mostly right in front of his opponents. He paws with the left, throws an occasional right and has all but neglected that wonderful jab-hook combo. Steward has made him more effective but at a terrible cost and as soon he finds an opponent who can solve that riddle, it's over. I'm not a nuthugger but I am a fan. I'm a bigger fan of the old Klitschko and am waiting for him to get over that mental block so he can become a true force again.
I dont know ,I kinda agree everything you said. Your very informed. Is the German guy a good trainer?? Fritz Sudek?? Help me out,I appreciate YOUR impartiality. What you think of Shields as trainer??Theres several good ones!! Im 60 my grandpa loved Charley Goldman. Didnt he work wonders with the Rock?? What about Whitey Bimstein????Thanks God Bless!!!!:happy
i've always said, the fight with mercer was one of the finest boxing performance by wladimar, he threw nice left jabs, left hooks, straight rt., he parried punches. it really was a nice display of fine boxing. it was also the first time mercer was dropped by a punch to the head. yes mercer was was older but by no means shot, he'll be fighting tim sylvia in the mma soon.
It helped that Mercer was basically a punching bag by then but yes, it was a very good performance by Wlad. He turned a jab into a short hook and floored Mercer with it. Who else can hook off the jab like that?
Yeah, I just looked it up. Steward was his trainer for Brewster. But Wlad still fought with his old style in that fight.
Don't believe all this talk that Wlad is worse now than he was before. Wlad's footwork is better now, no doubt about that. One thing you forget about Steward, he has worked and prepared Wlad now for any situation that can occur during the fight. Wlad can beat you in so many ways now. If you come after Wlad, he can tie you up better than anyone in history now. Couldn't do that before. And Wlad can box and move, almost dance around his opponent, if he needs to. I could write more, but I am tired and its late. I will take this today Wlad over that yesterday Wlad every time now. Steward is an amazing trainer, when he has a student that will listen to him and trust him and do everything Emanual tells him to do.
And Sdunek was the atheltic coach and in the corner too. Since this fight Sdunek never was in Wlads corner. Sdunek ruinied Wlad, he didn´t train Wlad well. Wlad won olympic gold and he was a good mover bevore Sdunek change his style. For the Mercer fight Wlad works with Tommy Brooks. Wlad always wants to work with real professional american coaches but Sdunek is the head coach of UBP. Wlad is working with Emanuel Steward since 2004 and he became a much better boxer.
That was a very good fight but Tommy Brooks was the coach!!!! Wlad worked with Don Turner in his entire career and the fight against Carlos Monroe in the US was very good. Wlad wants to work with american coaches and he was sucsessful with this work. But the coaches leave him and i think Sdunek did not want the work with american coaches. And he has his tricks so the coaches leave Wlad. The worst was the Brewster fight but Sdunek knows nothing about Stewards character. This time it did not work. Thank God and Manny Steward. But Emanuel Steward stays with Wlad and Wlad with Steward. So no chance for Mr. Sdunek this time. And this was a very very good choice for Wlad. Since than he become a real Champion. The fight against Brook was very good. Wlad took Brock out with a very good combination, left hook and big right hand in only 7 rounds! Vitali could not KO a pumped and blow up Gomez and takes punches from Gomez. Vitali looked dead tired after 3 rounds. He win the fight because of his awkward Style and his will but not because of his trainer Fritz Sdunek.
Good fight, but Vlad is much better now. He has been maturing with every fight. Lewis was knocked by McCall and Rahman.
