Tyson, Tua, Briggs, Mercer, Rahman >>>>> taking hits from 3 fighters who did all put you down, in that very same match Are you trolling? Wlad himself has adopted a cautious style simply to avoid getting hit, he is pretty one-dimensional in his style whereas Lewis was not
If Wlad would've the chin and fighting spirit of his older brother, he would be an unstoppable monster... Yes, the styles of Wlad and Lennox look very similar - obviously Steward's fingerprints...
Absolutely not. Same thing with Lennox. He was on shaky ground with Briggs, Mercer and Rahman. TBH, I just think Lennox had better balance than Wlad that's why he didn't go down against the above. Wlad has mastered the sweet science in hitting and not getting hit in return. It's pretty amazing really that he has almost perfected a style where he can habitually hit his opponent and they are not in range to return fire.
That's one way of looking at it i suppose. Getting dropped by bombs while coming foward and getting dropped from glancing blows are two different things. Look at the times Lewis was willing to slug in his career as opposed to Wlad, who fights has scared as any fighter you've ever seen (other than Audley lol). Lewis wasn't afraid of getting tagged and was williing to do so in order to change a fight, Wlad never deviates from what he does because he doesn't have the confidence to do it. The major difference between the two is Lennox is a natural born fighter, Wlad isn't by any stretch of the imagination. A fact he admits himself. Lewis' chin and fighting spirit is a level above Wladimir's.
Wlad is faster and has more power. Wlad also has a better jab, better left hook (used both more as well) and has better footwork. Wlad also throws his right hand straight down the pipe as Lewis brought his over or around more often. They both have great right hands though. Wlad is also more difficult to hit. Lewis was more fluid with his punches if he was in an exchange, and bent at the waist a good bit more. He also took more advantage of counter punching opportunities. Like everyone else mentioned, he used the uppercut more than Wlad as well. Lewis also had a good jab, but didn't really punish his opponents with it like Wlad does. Lewis stuck his out like a pole to create distance and line up his shots. Both were smart about leaning on their opponents and not letting them turn it into an inside brawl. Wlad used to fight more fluid back when he opened up his entire arsenal, such as the Mercer fight. However, he clearly restricts his punches and thinks his way through them in a different manner now. He tries to make every punch count for something, instead of just firing away.
No. Steward said the best heavyweight he's worked with is Lennox Lewis because he's not afraid. He executes everything he was trained to do. Wlad doesn't. If Wlad has more talent than Lewis. It is not evident just by looking at their fights. Which is what matters most. IMO I think Steward is trying to add confidence to what very limited confidence Wlad has.
Wlad is much better defensivly then lewis, has a better jab an i feel more athletic. Lewis brawled a little more, wlad even early in his career was not big at brawling, he attacked, but he never really traded, unless it is against a light puncher, then he take a few, wlad loves to set up punches, more so then lewis, wlad looks for his hook an right cross, wlad got a good upper cut, but he just dosn't love it like the loves his other punches, he could jabb a guy for three rounds, or four or five, an his instinct tells him the the guys ready for the cross or hook,
Wlad is better defensively because he has to be, that is how he fights imo, if Lewis fought as cautious we'd see the same thing.
Doesn't have the confidence or doesn't need to. If i'm dominating you already do I need to switch it up?