Seriously. I am rewatching this after many years. Sanders was breathing heavy after the first 3 minutes. It had nothing to do with anything Vitali did. Vitali had not landed anything heavy or clinched/leaned on Sanders. Yet Sanders was completely out of it after winning the first round. If Sanders showed up in shape, he could have won this one.
Sanders was already old and a part-time fighter when he beat Wlad. Also, even in his prime Sanders was most effective in the first 3 rounds, but not so great afterwards. If Wlad would’ve managed to survive a couple more rounds he also likely would’ve stopped Sanders.
I always thought the same thing. Corrie was 38 years old, off for 13 months and came in looking lethargic and not fully trained. Yet despite that he gave Vitali a good go. Makes you wonder if at some other point in his career he might have done better
