I am curious as to why everyone is so hard on Rock. He has fought top notch competition, and never quit in a tough fight. All the guys he lost to are former or current heavyweight titlists with the exception of Tua, and given that Tua blatently hit Rock after the bell I wouldn't call the Tua fight a loss. Also lets not forget he scored a one punch KO over Lennox Lewis. I know many like to dismiss that as a so called "lucky punch" but I don;t believe there is such a thing. I had Rock up in that fight, but at the very worst it was an even fight up until the KO. Even if Rock had lost every previous round that still doesn't make him KO'ing Lewis a fluke or lucky punch. Fact of the matter is he was able to do to Lewis what Lewis couldn't do to him... land the KO blow. Why doesn't Rock have a chance against Wlad. One clean right hand from Rock on Wlads and that fight is over. They have 2 common opponents. Ross Purrity and Corrie Sanders. Both ko'd Wlad while Rock KO'd Sanders and beat Purrity by wide unanimous decision. In the Sanders fight Rock showed the ability to get up from a bad knockdown and battle back for the KO victory. Wlad did not. I think that an in-shape, and well prepared Rahman is capable of pulling off the upset and KOing Wladimir. When in top form Rock is one of the strongest fighters in the heavyweight division in both physical strength and punching power. He has the jab and right hand that could get the job done. I am in no way underestimating Wlad. He is a formidable Champion. But, at the end of the day I think he is an athlete that chooses to box where Rock is a fighter by nature! That could be the difference! If it happens I hope its turns out to be a great fight.
And there's the rub. You never know which Rahman will show up. He seems incapable of putting 2 good fights together. He seems to get to the point of dispelling all the doubts about him, and then just lets everyone down again. And, his chin is just not gettting any better. Having said that, he took Sanders bombs a lot better than Wlad.
I hear ya. In no way am I saying he is flawless. It just seems that he is judged far more harshly than most fighters are. Wlad being a perfect example. Loss by KO to Ross Purrity? Or how about the loss to Sanders. We are talking a much older Sanders then the one Rock foght. Not to mention Sanders had been inactive for I believe three years. Not to mention he took the fight on short notice. Anyway I am not here to tlk bad about Wlad, or any fighter for that matter. Just think Rock doesn't deserve the harsh words he gets in these forums. Win or lose he never quit. He won a heavyweight title two times. Not to mention he didn't walk into a boxing gym until 19yrs old, and only had 10 amateur fights. Pretty good if you ask me.
Niether could Sam Peter the first time. He did beat Lennox Lewis though. Two time titlist, KO victory over Lennox Lewis, and you say he sucks. :huh