Who should Wlad fight?

Definitely would like to see him fight Solis, Povetkin and Haye of course

 

When the Haye fight doesn't happen, he will have to take on his mandatory so it's moot. But after his mandatory, and Haye still hasn't grown a pair of balls, which I expect he won't, it has to be flavour of the month boxer Adamek who is willing to take them on, and is probably the toughest fight available after Haye. Won't do Wlad's legacy any harm either. I think Vitali will retire at the end of the year.

 

I don't buy it. Yes Wlad said he wanted to fight Valuev, and yes Valuev has said he wanted to fight Wlad. But, nothing ever even came close to happening. If they really wanted the fight, someone would make concessions to the other side to make it happen. I think each party thinks it's a bad fight for them.

Unfortunately, It's almost to late. Valuev is deteriorating so rapidly. A few years ago it would have been a better potential fight.

 

You should look it up before assuming they offered the fight to Valuev after your boy haye pulled out last summer, Valuev said no so Wlad asked Chagaev who said yes.

 

I know what the story was... I just don't buy it. Offering a fight could go something like:

Offerer: Hey I'll give you a dollar if you fight me.
Offeree: No thanks. That's not enough.
Offerer: Suit yourself.

Then you issue a press statement saying you offerd the fight. Are you lying...no. Although at the time of which you refer, Chagaev was also a good of a last minute replacement, and Chageav was willing. Credit to Chageav there for taking up the challenge.
My point is, if they really wanted Valuev. They'd throw money at him until he said yes. Of course, every fighter has a cut off point where they deem it's financially not worth it. The same can be said for team Valuev, If they really wanted Wlad, they'd accept low money.

I really truly believe that each side thinks it's a bad match up and they have gone about their business without making any serious attempts. Hearsay, and stories form parties with a vested interests are not going to sway my opinion. So no matter what Valuev's manager says, or Wlad's maid, or Don King, or whoever. When they tell the tale, they will spin it to make their fighter look like he wanted it, while the other did not.

 

Povetkin and Adamek.

 

Valuev was offered a career high payday to fight Vitaly and he turned it down, That says more then enough about how much Valuev wanted it.

 

We're talking about Wlad. I don't think anyone doubts that Vitali would bust up Valuev. Vitali would scrap with anyone!

I wouldn't say "afraid". But I would say "unsure". Yes Chagaev, Haye and Ruiz were able to do well, but they are different fighters. They are smaller. If you asked me who is a better fighter, it's Wlad easily. Heck, he's better than all of them. But styles make fights, and Wlad's style is based on him using reach, and using clinching. Wlad's not a mover in any sense. He takes command of the center and fights tall.
I'm unsure of how he would adapt to being the smaller man. He would not be able to hold his left hand out to keep distance. He would not be able to lean and hold with ease. He would have to use foot movement, ducking and he may even be forced to scrap a bit. Can he do all this? It's very possible, he's a smart fighter and hard worker, but it would be a huge adjustment form his normal game plan. That uncertainty makes Wlad vs Valuev an intruding match up to me. It's the only potential fight where I'm not sure if Wlad will win. (although, Valuev is fading fast, I'm thinking more of a few years ago)
Anyhow, it's not that he's scared of taking the fight. It's that it's not worth the risk for whatever the price or reward is.. I'm not hating of Wlad. Blame goes both ways. Valuev's team feels it's not worth the risk fighting someone who is really good and could have blasted him out. Wlad 's team felt it's not worth the risk of finding out if he can fight being the smaller man.

Okay, I'm done with this now. I surmise that we'll have to agree to disagree. I do appreciate that you guy always keep it civil. It's a rare thing in these forums.

 

Anyone who has the balls to take the fight to him rather than stand in the ring and eat jabs. I genuinely feel sorry for the Guy that he reigns in an era where the opposition is so lacking in ambition and heart. For me there's only one fight out there and that's Haye.

 

Haye, Povetkin, Adamek, and Solisk are credible opponents (roughly in that order). I guess Valuev's credible but can't help but think Wlad will destroy the wooly mamouth even worse then less credible fightters mentioned below. Don't know Boystov's work but I don't see Peter and Arreola as credilbe title challengers especially at this point. Arreola's off a loss and still hasn't beaten anybody outside of a half assed McCline. It's good that Peter is getting his weight down, but he should have to beat somebody (or two).
I'd like to see Tony Thompson get another shot at Wlad before he gets much older as he gave Wlad a decent fight for a time certainly the best challenge in the past few years for wlad. And unlike most of the other "contenders" he's not dwarfed by wlad. Though he too hasn't really earned a second shot (tho I don't know that TT's ducking any fights).

 

sorry dude but the only way this happens is if they were american! unfortunately they have class and family morale, they wouldnt stab each other or punch other in the face for a buck good

 

"Who should Wlad fight?"

- Some with a pulse

- Someone with good conditioning

- Someone of equal size

- Some with a sold amateur background

- Someone with real boxing skills