Wlad mentions no one wants to fight him .....

who does wlad have to beat reasonably (aside from haye becauase that already happened) for you to potentially give him respect (as a boxing fan)

 

Lol, so you would rather the guy who beat Wlad not rematch him? You wouldnt want to see the guy with the best HW of this generation again??? Now this is some serious hating

 

:deal

 

I've not really commented on this thread (Too much Hate/Fanboy Activism.)

But considering I'm not a Wlad fan (not a hater either), I can legitimately say this:

Wlad is a very, very good Champion in a poor era. It is as simple as that.

BUT,

There is a new generation of Heavyweights coming through. Mitchell, Pulev, Price, Fury, Wilder, and even Solis (amongst others).

They won't all make it, and some of them will fail miserably like many prospects do.

But quite a few of them will make it as good Top Ten Contenders in shape and at a reasonable age.

We should see Wlad fighting some of these guys (and others) over the course of the next 2 - 3 Years.

If and when Wlad fights and beats this new generation, then he is no doubt a GREAT Champion to be ranked alongside the likes of the other greats - And will easily be a Top 10 Champion in my eyes.

Until then, I see him as a fighter unlucky to be lumped with no serious contenders, and reigning over a poor division. (Not Wlad's fault).

Other than Sam Peter I, and Haye Wlad hasen't really been challenged. I predict that the new crop WILL provide some kind of challenge. They may or may not win, but they will definitely provide a challenge - And that's what will give Wlad the time to prove his mettle, and shut up his detractors (such as myself.)

 

Do you think they'll give him a challenge because they'll be that good, or becuase Wlad will have lost a step by then? In 2 years he's 38+ years old.

 

I hope it's because they'll be that good... Because if not, then that's two successive generations of **** poor Heavyweights in my opinion :S

But you also have to bare in mind, if Wlad beats two of the guys who go on to be Champion after he retires, then it'll only enhance his legacy.

I don't think Wlad's age will be too much of a factor either. He looks after his body, is pretty much always in shape, and as with Vitali, I think we'll know when he's starting to slow down.

But to answer your question, I think it'll be more likely because Wlad has lost a step, as opposed to these 'challengers' turning great overnight. Out of the 10 or so potentials, only a couple of them will make it as Top 5 Heavyweights. All Wlad can do is fight them, and whatever big names are out there. Following that, that makes the poor era Post Lewis, the **** poor era of the past 3 years, and whatever comes now/future.

Regardless of what anyone says, to reign over this 'third generation' (Price Fury etc) and not grant the man ATG status? That would just be pure hating.

 

Well stated and ur right for the most part Wlad had been unlucky because this is an awful era and toward the end of Lewis reign the division had because water down as well. I think he will be tested because their appear's to be fresh blood coming into the divison with Price, Pulev and dont forget Joshua the british olympian he may catch Wlad at the end of his reign. u make some good points and its hard to argue with logic the only think is i differ with u in regard's to Solis if he's in shape he awesome but he's hardly in shape and i think Fury and Wilder are hype

 

Yup, I agree with Solis.. as for Fury and Wilder, I think Fury's got good footwork and coupled with his power, would easily pose a decent challenge to Wlad.

As for Wilder, he's still a lil far off challenging for anything, but he's definitely got talent... It's just a question of how he handles the step up in competition (if it ever happens, that is).

Fury is definitely closer than Wilder is in stepping up, and I don't see either of them ever becoming great champions, but they will both become decent contenders at some point.