Were Samuel Peter and Corrie Sanders "past prime and shot" when Vitali fought them?

Your poll is asking for one answer to two different questions. I think Sanders was it. But Peter was still young and in good shape coming off some good wins. Had never before been stopped. And remember Vitali was the one who had been off since 2004

 

Agree with you on Peter. But Sanders was 38 and off for 13 months. Nor had he fought much in the previous few years period. He was also noticeably out of shape at 235 lbs against Vitali. He was juggling a golfing career with boxing simultaneously. Yes his win over Wladimir was enormous and showed that he was still dangerous. But a lot of that was a stylistic advantage as well as outright complacency on wlad’s part. No way was Vitali in there with a prime opponent that night

 

We're talking about the Sanders who fought Vitali.

Answer this , Was Wlad also at his best when he lost to Sanders?

 

I don’t think Sanders was “ totally “ shot. He visibly still had power and shape reflexes left. But he WAS past his prime. I think what really happened there was Wlad entered that ring with ZERO respect for sanders expected an early round KO win and stubbed his toe.

 

Sanders could have been a great if he'd had more motivation and a better promoter. His basic package was that good. When he fought Vitali he was indeed not in a great shape and creaking along. I'd say that he was hitting as hard as ever but his edge was gone and his stamina certainly was. He may have proved that night that he was tougher as he got older. But bravely eating punches rarely wins fights.

 

That and that Sanders would have always been a difficult night out for Wlad, who didn't really have the chin to stand up to Sanders' bazooka lefts.

 

Physically yes. Technically no.

 

This is totally shot Sanders, don't think he'd done a sit up in years:

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Hmm... Sanders was older than Lewis, less active than Lewis and way more overweight than Lewis was against Vitali. And everybody says it wasn't a prime Lewis (which is true). How could older, less active and more overweight Sanders be at his prime? He definitely wasn't too. He was still good, dangerous fighter but he clearly wasn't in his prime. Just like Lewis vs Vitali or Holyfield vs Lewis (again, both at 37 were younger and more active than Sanders)

 

Interesting takes on Sanders @Glass City Cobra

 

Peter was 10 pounds heavier against Vitali than he was against Wlad. He was clearly slower and sloppier.
Many have said over the years he was never the same after Wlad.
He clearly wasn't as good nor was he in the same shape. Hence he was on the slide.

 

I was at the Sanders—Vitali fight. Sanders was far from shot—insanely fast and powerful, plus took a good beating—but he wasn’t in great shape.

 

He gave a good account of himself and showed a lot of heart. Shot might not be the word. Was he ideally fit for being in a fight like that ? No