Pick ONE fighter who beats a prime Vitali Klitschko

The fight was in Germany in Vitali’s backyard I don't agree with the judges I had Vitali only ahead 5-4 going into the 10th round.

Vitali said himself in the post fight interview he wasn't sure he could win a decision with the remaining rounds left with the injury so he obviously didn't believe he was winning comfortably.

If it wasn't a legit win why didn't Vitali rematch him ? Byrd was a champion when Vitali was active before his semi retirement. Not to mention being higher ranked than any opponent Vitali beat before his semi retirement.

Byrd would've also been the best win on Vitali’s resume.

 

Vitali tore his rotator cuff in like the 2nd or 3rd round which is the only reason Byrd got more competitive as the fight moved on.

I'm not sure why they never fought again but I'm sure Vitali would've won comfortably if they did. Maybe with the clash of styles, he thought there was a chance of injury again. Holyfield also tore his rotator cuff vs Byrd.

 

Lewis, Bowe, Tyson

There's loads

 

He is tough matchup for anyone but I think there is someone/people in history who could have beaten him.

 

Possibly but I would've liked to of seen a rematch there was a good period between 2001-2004 when Byrd was racking up some solid wins and then become a champion.

I'm not saying Byrd is some great fighter but he's a unique challenge for Vitali.

 

Holmes wouldn’t be able to get to him and was a sucker for a right hand which Vitali threw with power
Tua wouldn’t land a single meaningful punch
Shavers had a Glass Jaw and would get stopped early

Lennox and Usyk have the best chance by far.

 

The mythical, unearned position as a head-to-head terror continues...

 

Lennox Lewis is the fighter I feel most confident about

 

How good actually was Vitali is the first question ? His record is not exactly flowing with HOF fighters he faced,yes he was a big strong tough fighter who always turned up in fantastic condition but he had quit to a lesser fighter with an injury when other fighters would have continued and he did also lose to an end of his career Lewis,so imo there are a few fighters over the years who could have beat him . Lewis Bowe Ali Holyfield straight off the top of my head but I do believe he would have been too much for his brother in a mythical fight situation .

 

Ali UD15 VK

it would be a wide UD

 

Same tbf

 

OK, so bear with me here. Vitali reminds me of a more consistent Joe Joyce. I remember when Joe was on his little tear and battered, an untasteful descriptor but apt, battered Joe Parker, I thought he'd be a hard night for any of the top men. Vitali is similar. He is not the fastest, he does not hit the hardest, but he was big, always supremely conditioned, always had a chin and had a brilliant engine. He had the kind of attributes that can beat better fighters if they are not 100/100, that is 100%, 100% of the time. I get why people say his head to head status is 'mythical' and I guess you can level the same argument at another of my favourite fighter, Riddick Bowe, but applying my 100/100 rule, can anyone really say that if either man was on their absolute best night, they would pick any other heavyweight to beat them with a huge degree of confidence? Vitali was a hard man, a machine if you like, and I really believe his physical and mental attributes make him a head to head nightmare. He features in many of my favourite fantasy fights. Vitali v Foreman, old or young, v Holyfield (who I give a great chance of beating him), v Bowe (what a war this would be), v Tyson (I think he stops Mike late), I could go on but that's enough fuel for this fire, or cats for these pigeons if ya like...

Take care all, peace and love, Px