Why Vitali is not an elite HW

It's funny how he pisses off so many fans.

Whatever his shortcomings he has only lost twice and both times were due to injury. An argument can be made that he has never been 'losing' in a fight.

Secondly I have never seen anyone turn 250+ pound fighters with arm punches.

 

i just laugh at anyone that downplays vitali or wlad i think there great atheletes always in shape and play to there strengths, doesnt matter what era the guy comes from they would fight there way sure they would prob loose to some of the greats especially wlad but vitali is a different story much tougher fighter who would give anyone fits i think

 

Yeah tend to agree....hes just not quite there yet...another 3 good wins against champs over the next 12 months may change that.......unlike little brother who is an ATG :deal right now in my book........and hes got another 4 solid years left if he wants.

 

Was far from impressive against Arreola. I was expecting an early KO, but Vitali didn't want to mix it up. Still, he got the win and dominated so that counts for something.

 

You must be easily impressed if you think he's an all time great.

I'll give them this, they turn up in great shape. Not so long ago, if you didn't turn up in great shape, you left on a stretcher.

 

No its that you are hard to please :yep....he must have close to 15 world titles defences and 3 or 4 time world champ currently holding 2 world titles.

I'm not going to go and count but he must be close to the following.....


He has been the dominant force in the HW division for 5 years.

In that time he has beaten the best in the division and beat the hottest new WT challenges.

He has beaten 6 top challenges with undefeated records in the last 5 years

He has beaten 4 world title holders in the last 5 years

Best wins against undefeated Brock, Peter, Ibragimnv and Ruslan....last 2 guys were the hottest thing in the HW division until they got beat by Wlad and Ruslan had that win over Vlauev 1 year before his loss to Wlad.

When he beats the winner of Haye and Valuev that should complete his world domination :yep

 

Well if you consider the WBO belt that he had and defended against the likes of Charles Shufford and the ancient and undeserving Ray Mercer as legit title defences, then yeah he must be approaching 15.

The fact you say Ibragimov and Changaev were the hottest thing in the division, speaks volumes. I doubt very much Larry Holmes, Sonny Liston or George Foreman would be losing much sleep. I don't think either of them would beat even Riddick Bowe to be honest.

 

Ruslan dusted Valuev....I guess after Valuev wipes the floor with Haye that win by Ruslan should get a bit more credit in your books....and then in turn the win by Wlad over him :deal

 

The Klits are the dominate heavies out there but can be thankful they came through an era of heavies that at best were fairly ordinary. They are just copping their critism just as Larry Holmes did.
They can only knock over those that are placed in front of them & they do that fine.

Both have really yet had a career defining victory that they were the underdog in. No fight that they were losing & turned it around to win. Its not their fault that they are that much ahead of the current heavies out there. And credit to them for always coming in such fine physical condition.

 

I'll be betting my bottom dollar on Haye to beat Valuev. I don't think Haye is the second coming by any stretch. I just think he, along with Boytsov, is a well needed breath of fresh air. Both brothers get the job done, however their level of competition is woeful at best. Holmes' competition is light years ahead...

 

Would have thought being a world champ qualifies as being "elite". But let's not get boggled down in semantics.

 

Vitali and Wlad are clear elite HW today, head and shoulders ahead of their competition.

Both are lacking a step or two from becoming ATG.

If Vitali beats KJ, Solis and Haye/Valuev in an unification fight, I think he will have made a strong case to join the class.

Wlad, if he beats Povetkin, Chambers and then guys like Dimitrenko, Tua, Boytsov, maybe grabing the WBA or WBC belts in one of these fights, he would have done enough to join the class too.

 

Both Brothes are clearly Elite HWs today.

Vitali would give ANY HW is history a good fight.

His resume may not be as heavy as others but **** he's an effective fighter and gets the job done.

 

Totally agree.:good