Nikolai Valuev V James J Braddock?

Let's say that you are right.

Would a faded Larry Donald wreck Braddock?
Would Ruiz wreck Braddock?
Would Haye wreck Braddock?
Would old Holyfield wreck Braddock?

 

That's not the point, the point is that Chagaev had similar physical disadvantage and wasn't much of a puncher either. Yet he beat Valuev convincingly.

 

Chag never wrecked anyone of note. He was a very good technician but not gifted with power or speed at the elite level. He was also shorter than Braddock with less reach.... Chag was 230 but also had belly rolls, and weighed as little as 206 once. It would be an interesting chess match between an awkward spoiler and counter puncher. I'd pick Braddock at his healthiest to decision him.

Regardless I don't see Chag having any outstanding advantages over Braddock that makes a Valuev win some unreachable pinnacle. Chag cruised in the last rounds against Valuev and gave some rounds away...largely because he had crap stamina...(belly rolls).

 

How was Haye and Holyfield not mobile against Valuev? They both literally ran away from him for 12 rounds!

Chagaev didn't run as much as the other two, but still fought on the defensive most of the time - but had success with jumping in every now and again with single shots. Valuev was simply too slow to do much about it.

But my point is, that Braddock's way of fighting did not even slightly resemble the style of those three boxers. He just stood there, shooting out a fair left jab, while waiting for an opening for his right. I can't recall ever having seen him dance around the ring, slipping punches coming his way.

Now let me make one thing clear: I don't thing Valuev was a great (other than size-wise!) boxer. Far from it. He was painfully slow, and a lot of boxers throughout history would make him look like a fool. But I don't think a small, stationary boxer with no special evasive skills, belongs in this category!

 

Jokes on you I can’t read

 

Who are Braddocks best wins in your opinion? Five let’s say.

 

1. Baer (Champion)
2. Farr (Secured Braddock the position of #2 Ring contender)
3. Lasky (Title eliminator)
4. Lewis (Dangerous contender)
5. Slatterey (secured a shot at the LHW title)

They were all relevant at the time of the fights.

All that Valuev has in the other column, is a #5 rated John Ruiz, and the rest are just name fighters who were no longer relevant.

 

"Obsessed with size!!!"

 

At least Carnera had a handful of quality wins.

 

I can only shake my head at this thread. So now Braddock > Valuev

Some people DKSAB if they truly think that.

Stylewise, record wise, stats-wise, Valuev is ahead of Braddock.

 

And actually got in the ring with the genuine Heavyweight Champion of the world and beat him.

Valuev held the lowest regarded of the ABC titles and was often ranked below the other Champions of this period: Wlad, Peter, Oleg...etc.

Of his own era: Valuev was only relevant for 4 (05-09) years and didn't do much. Is he even a top 5 guy from this period?

Wlad, Povetkin, Peter, Chambers, Brewster, all seem to dwarf his achievements. Haye, Chag, and Sultan in their brief moments were notably better. Sultan even beat old Holyfield first and without controversy.

So we have posters talking trash for people suggesting lineal Champions with good wins was likely better than maybe a barely top 10 guy from a chaotic four year period where Wlad dominated almost every worthwhile contender.

Can we say for sure Valuev is even better than Tony Thompson?

 

If 46 years old Holyfield could run away from you, then mobile fighters are not necessary. Anybody looks mobile next to Valuev.

Which proves again that you don't need to be defensive master to beat Valuev. Why do you assume that Braddock couldn't fight on defensive against Valuev?

All three of then fought different gameplan against Valuev, with comparable success. That's the point, you don't need to have certain style to beat Valuev.