wlad v frazier

But the way Wlad fights now he won't try to bang anyone out early until he's got the measure of them. He certainly won't try it with a fighter like Frazier and risk getting knackered in the process. He'll attempt to keep Frazier at bay with his jab, wear him out with his clinch and try to finish things in the later stages. If anyone's going to try for the early knockout it's Frazier. If he doesn't get it and allows Wlad to get his measure then I think his task becomes exponentially harder.

Bringing up the Sanders and Brewster fights are pertinent to a degree, but so is the Haye fight, where he successfully maintained his distance against a fast explosive banger trying to take his head off (and yes, he did try, he just got shut down in the process).

 

Wlad KO or UD depending on how many risks he takes

 

I don't see why he can't win if he fights like that. It was his going reckless and going for the early knockout that allowed Brewster his chance. Since Wlad's fought his low-risk low output style he hasn't come close to losing, including against Brewster and Peter in the rematches.

Wlad would be an idiot if he tried to fight Frazier in the same way as he fought Brewster.

 

You have to think the best Wlad is better than the Brewster 1 version. Brewster was nearly ko'd in that fight and is allot stronger and probably more durably than the smaller weaker Frazier, so it's a possibility but not a given Frazier replicates what Brewster did

Frazier takes allot of punishment early in his fights and alongside Foreman would be the biggest puncher Frazier faced.

After this fight Wlad was more relaxed and mastered the clinching that Ali tied Frazier up with inside

 

I think Wlad got better and more confident under Steward, confidence is very important. Wlad for me against Brewster wasn't at his best

I do think Wlad fought a very tense fight against Brewster than saw him exhaust himself, either that or he od'ed on the wrong PEDs. Some people claim he was poisoned, which I don't buy. But I also don't think he was performing at his best

He easily did beat Brewster ofcourse, albeit the past prime version. Peter wasn't very good, but he was strong as an ox

After the first 5 rounds, if Wlad has developed a rythm of neutralising Frazier's pressure he can maintain it. I think if you asked Magna he'd likely say Wlad is 1 of the toughest guys to pressure

 

Give Frazier Arthur Mercante Sr or the Manilla ref and he'll be fine.

 

Hard match up to choose from because they do hold a lot of similarities despite massive stylistic differences. Both are at their most vulnerable early imo, and both are quite shaky against great punchers. Letting either man into his rythm is a bad idea and if they manage to get into control it's hard to throw them off their game.

I think Wlad has more of a chance of taking out Fraizer early, he's got massive power. The problem is he's afraid to use that, he'd likely be cautious and not even attempt to go for the stoppage until he was in full control. Fraizer starts slow so I don't really see him taking Wlad out early, always a chance with that big hook though. Wlad's left hook would be a danger throughout, always giving him a shot at a stoppage.

As someone else said the outcome of this fight depends a whole lot on where it is held. If it's in Germany and Wlad is allowed lean and clinch when Fraizer gets in close it would be a big advantage to him. However if Fraizer is allowed to work on the inside and get to Wlad's body, it improves his chances greatly.

Another point that this fight hinges on imo is Wlad's jab and how often Fraizer can get past it. I think it'd give Fraizer huge problems and it could cause a lot of damage to him.If Wlad can land it early and often I think it stops Fraizer's chances of coming on as strong as normally in the late rounds. That being said if Fraizer gets by it and gets to the body I can't see Wlad's stamina standing up over 15 rounds.

If the fight is scheduled for 12, I'll take Wlad in a close decision, but over 15 I'd have to favour Fraizer to get it done late and take out Wlad.

Real 50/50 fight imo, I can see it going many different ways, depending on different factors.

 

I'd probably pick Frazier on modern PEDs, 20lbs muscle all over, maybe then, not sure I rate Wlad highly despite not really being a fan of him or his style.

 

Its simply delusional to favour Wlad based off his career run of C to B level fighters. 3 who knocked him out.
The importance of resume's is paramount.
If Bute kept going without fight Froch, people would still be claiming he's great SMW.