Bruno's biggest problem for me was his **** stamina, I don't think that would be a problem against Wlad since his fights are usually low tempo.
I'd make Wlad a 1/2 favourite in this one. Big Frank as a total package is better than anyone Wlad has been in with, or is ever likely to get in with before he retires. Easily the best jabber and at least an equal with anyone in terms of punching power. Chin-wise he's up there too. Being stopped on your feet twice by Tyson and once by Lewis is nothing to be ashamed of, and he certainly gave both plenty to think about during the course of the first two fights. Both good jabbers, both have excellent right hands and can hook off the jab well. Frank's uppercut is a lot better but wouldn't really be a factor here. There's no evidence to suggest Wlad can get in a firefight like this and emerge victorious against a fighter as good and as resilient as Bruno - but equally Frank can't survive when someone opens up on him..... he just stands there and lets himself be pounded on until the referee jumps in. It's a question of whether Wlad commits himself to his shots - which you MUST do against Bruno..... or if Bruno lands the big 1-2 to put Wlad out of his misery. Prediction - Wlad answers his critics and comes of age in a very tough fight..... stopping Frank on his feet in the 9th.
Bruno has a chance of a landing a lucky punch, like every skilled and good boxer. Out of 10 fights, I'd say prime Wlad takes 8 while the best version of Frank wins 2.
Oh for crying out loud..Bruno is going to be Bruno no matter who you match him against. Fat Witherspoon, Smith, Lewis, prime Tyson, prison Tyson..it doesn't matter, anybody of reasonable substance. He'll be visibily intimidated but he'll flash some skills, win some rounds, than he'll slow down to a snails pace, walk into a right hand and fall against the ropes. Ref waves it off, end of the night. Thus the legacy of Bruno. Unless your the incredibly inconsistent McCall. Not sure Bruno is that much better than McCline, who at the time was a hot top 10 contender coming off dominating wins over Briggs, Grant, and Whitaker. Bruno never had such a run against ranked fighters as he was carefully matched after the early Smith and Witherspoon disappointments. McCline was pretty durable, fast, and had a good jab himself. Jameel McCline's stock in the heavyweight division keeps rising, while Shannon Briggs keeps leaving his potential unfulfilled. In a battle between boxers headed in different directions, McCline (28-2-2) won an impressive unanimous 10-round decision last night over Briggs (36-4-1) in the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Showing superior hand speed and an excellent jab, McCline was never in trouble and controlled the fight from the early stages. All three judges scored the fight, 99-90, in favor of McCline. The only knockdown came midway through the sixth round, and it was Briggs who fell. McCline decked Briggs with a left-right-left combination to the head that sent Briggs onto his back. Briggs showed he could take a punch, rising at the count of five, and looking steady the rest of the round. But McCline controlled the fight with a crisp left jab that kept Briggs on the defensive. Briggs could land only one punch at a time, but McCline put punches together. McCline has not lost since 1996, and he said he feels he is moving closer to a shot at the heavyweight title.
Frank had a good chin...he would just run out of gas most of the time....except vs Tyson. Klit would win via UD.
Oh, don't get me wrong, Bruno had a great telephone pole jab and lots of power and talent. Wladimir is on another level though, so if I were a betting man, I would say Wladimir by KO. Anyone who could beat Lennox Lewis for 6 plus rounds the way Bruno did is definitely talented. Of course that was a younger, pre-Steward Lewis, to be fair.
I actually believe that the earlier version of Wlad stands a better chance against Bruno then the newer one. The newer Wlad is more cautious, he lets guys stay in there too long, and against someone with the power and decent enough size to land that power, it's not a good thing. I think if Wlad attacks Bruno, he wins, but if Wlad is super cautious, Bruno breaks him with a big punch and he wins.
Vlad by knockout. I really liked Bruno, but Vlad's skills were way above Bruno's. Vlad has a really good chin. Do not believe the propaganda put out by the America boxing media.
Bruno could box a bit,I think people forget that sometimes and just think of the big punches.He was beating Lewis to the jab and generally outboxing him for most of their fight.I think Frank would be in with a real chance with Wlad,I know Frank lost a few by Ko but they were all against very good fighters.I think Wlad would really stugle with him.