Wlad is already a greater champion than Mike Tyson.

He was the greatest puncher in the heavyweight division since Joe Louis and he could take a punch.

To me a measure of a fighter is in the moments of genius and excitement he brings to the ring.

You mentioned Louis. His fights with Baer and the second fight with Schmeling are the things that stay with me.

 

:good

 

Chagaev still has a time to a decent comeback (but maybe lacks skills and confidence), so noone knows, he's only 30 now.
Wlad was KOd badly 3 times, and 5 years ago everyone were saying "dead man walking" when seeing him, and now he's gathering belts, one after another.

 

No offense to you I understand your point. Many people would say Tyson is not the greatest puncher since Joe Louis, me included.

I tend to stick with how a fighter rules their division during their time. I mean Joe Louis is always considered top 1,2,3 HW of all time. Yet, he often fought guys that were bum of the month. If Wlad fought a guy like Tony Musto can you imagine the hate?

I'll stick with resume and division ruling title defenses as my criteria.

 

So Wlad is the better human being? Maybe...

Besides....smaller explosive fighters like Dempsey,Marciano,Frazier and Tyson don't seem to have very long careers.

For them when the fire is gone it's gone.

 

That quote was,I believe,from Eddie Futch from around 1986 in The Ring Magazine.

 

Which great heavyweights has Wlad fought?


Mike Tyson was a recent era heavyweight who was successful at 5'10" and 215-225 lbs.

Wlad is 6'6 1/2" and 225 - 245 lbs.


Tyson fought many great talents and even in defeat took shots like a warrior.

Wlad regularly fights like a *****.


History and not ESB posters (of a particular demographic group of non-athletes but avid internet keyboard enthusiasts) will be the judge of where "Clitschko" ranks.

 

prime Tyson IS a horrible match-up for anyone. I think though that solid defensive guys with great jabs and good mobility and effective creaters of space (wlad, lewis, ali) would give prime Tyson issues, Wlad specifically has the hardest jab of all three (and, yes, the weakest chin).

somewhere along the way I also think the size of the ring might come into play. i don't recall seeing Tyson in too many 20'+ rings.

 

I don't know, which great heavyweights has Wlad fought in the same era as?

 

Tyson fought Lennox Lewis a great (lost badly), Evander Holyfield a great lost twice (embaressing as well), Holmes ( was 40 yrs old and well out of his prime)

Tysons best win is over Micheal Spinks. Is he an ATG? I think so at light heavy.

Big Credit to Tyson for taking the tough fights even if he came up a loser. Wlad doesnt have that kind of competition right now.

 

I disagree on the jab front, Lewis for my mind had a far harder jab than WALDO, both of them pawed with it a lot but when Lewis really commited himself to a jab it was a better punch than WALDO's best jab. Ali's was the best jab of the 3 though, due to the speed he had and the accuracy.

 

Its a valid question..which heavyweight is considered great right now that Wlad could fight?

Holy? Toney? I dont have anyone. All he can do is beat valuev and then continue to beat down his mandatories

 

Holmes was 37-38 when he fought Tyson....that win is seriously under-rated. Don't forget a few years later Holmes clowned prime Mercer. No-one ever destroyed Larry Holmes like Tyson did. Yes Holmes was past prime but the man still had a few good fights left in him, as he proved later on.

 

I hope you're not looking for an argument from me on that one :good