Wlad vPianeta?

You compare this fight and the caution Wlad displays against a limited challenger, and I think back to Ali fighting a similar limited challenger say in Coopman. An old Ali just played around with him the whole time. Playing to the crowd, and when he was done playing knocked him out.

The confidence Ali had in himself and his abilities was the same for every fighter he ever faced. Then we have Wlad who seems afraid almost to engage against a non threat. Two different personalities I guess.

As far as using his left as a range finder they all do it to some extent. There are tactics Pianeta can use to discourage it. But as you have noted he's limited. Considering where he was fighting the referee isn't going to do anything. The fighter or his corner could have protested to the referee, or Pianeta could have just let loose a haymaker to his groin all else failing.

 

I agree Mcvey, as far as physical attributes Wladimir might be the most physically gifted Heavyweight Champion. The weaknesses you mentioned, I agree with I, would also add he doesn't seem to have that fighting spirit or willingness to get down and engage that really separated the greats. That again is probably based upon those noted weaknesses and is really Wladimir fighting smart. Let me also add he doesn't have the greatest stamina when pushed, hence we have low output boring fights for the most part.

I don't think Jennings will be the fighter to defeat Wlad. He has really never impressed me a great deal. Wilder, in his last fight did impress me. Maybe because I wasn't expecting as much as I saw. He showed me a better chin then I expected. The excellent jab and power seemed top notch, though because of the hand injury we didn't get a KO. He's improving and in time could be a threat.

 

Who really cares about this one? It was one of Wlad's weakest title opponents ( 2nd or 3rd worst ). Pianeta was only defeated by Wlad and won three fights since.

Wlad rocked Pianeta inside the first 30 seconds, knocked him to the canvas with a straight right down the middle in the 4th, and floored him again with a left in the 5th.

Pinaeta at least showed some heart. I also felt Wlad was a little kind to his former sparring partner and could have ended it sooner if he wanted to.

Ali's fight with Cooperman was comical. Cooperman began to drink alcohol in his corner. Pineta > Cooperman

 

It was a "stay busy" fight. I at least applaud Wlad for keeping active in between bigger fights.

 

Lewis was the same way. But at least Wlad has the excuse of being a robot stuck in a slow gear. Lewis just looked lazy when he did it.

Ali was worst that both, when he was bad.
And Coopman was worse than anyone Wlad has defended against.

 

Any long tenured champion is going to have their " bum of the month " opponents. I think we all know this.

Wlad has made 18 successful title defenses. You could say he dominated his lower level opponent types without a moment's of trouble. Factually speaking, Ali and Louis at times had their moment's of trouble vs lesser men.

For those that care, I saw some of Wlad's sparring clips in preparation for Jennings. His punches arrive with a flash and produce a thudding sound similar to boat ferry slamming into the dock. When they land the guy with lots of padding goes down. In addition Wlad is training with no air conditioning.

 

Lets not compare to Ali.

Ali had just fought a thrilling fight against Frazier and left in the ring that one night what most fighters wouldn't experience in entire careers.

He then beat Cooperman and also Jimmy Young, Richard Dunn and Ken Norton in that same year. Thats 3 fighters and 1 hall of famer he beat that year. (controversy aside)

Wlad fought Pianeta and Povektin in that year and nobody else.
Pianeta who he hired for the Thopmson rematch as a sparring partner.
He was so useless , Wlad had to send him home early. Then he gave him a title shot and fought safety first
Then came the Povetkin farce in what should have been a DQ loss

The year before he was coming off a win against non ranking , club fighter- Wach.

Can you not see the difference between greatness and mediocrity?

 

Even the most ardent Wlad supports will agree he let's opponents hang around longer than they should.

 

wlad has stay "busy fights" between him fighting his subnational weaklings.

 

fortunately what you think is true perhaps for you and a tiny minority of klitaardos.

 

What's wrong with fighting Wach? Tough opponent to beat. Leapai was WBO mandatory unfortunately, Pianeta didn't deserve a shot. And yes, bigger fights against Pulev and Povetkin.