Wladimir Klitschko-Ruslan Chagaev question...

Tyson pulled out of more fight than Vitali has, but that is another thread. Vitali has said he will fight Arreola. Rumor has it he will meet Haye on September 12, 2009.

They have a different skills set. Vitali is better with the uppercut and on the counter. He also can throw punches at more angles, and move out of the way better. While Wlad is patient, Vitlai is better at consistent pressure. Vitali throws more punches, intimidates better, and takes a much better punch. I think Chagaev has a tougher time vs Vitali. Though Vitali is older, he still has decent reflexes.

Um, Peter was rated #2 by Ring Magazine when Vitali beat him down. I think Peter was young enough Gomez for my money is better than Arreola or Chambers.

Gomez at 6'3" 230 pounds is not fat. Toney at 5'10 245 pounds is fat. Gomez has a big frame and an 80" reach. Anyway, Gomez did fine in round one, then Vitali adjusted a bit and took Gomez out of his game. If you think Tompson and Gomez are toss ups, then Vitali got job done faster than Wlad did.

Wlad says Vitali is better. Since you hate Vitali, you only look at the negative, but if you ask Kltischko fans who's better, you will get a different picture. The Klitschko's might box for charity one day, but it will not be a real boxing match. If they ever fought, I think Vitali would get through Wlad guard and stop him in the mid rounds.

 

It seems to me that Wlad Chagaev is being sanctioned for the Ring Belt as they know Wlad will never fight Vitali and the lack of a 'true' HW champion is perceived as damaging for boxing. Having these two fight for the title conveniently resolves this issue, in an ideal world No's 1 and 2 in the world would fight for the title.

 

If the brothers did fight for charity, it would favor Wlad since he has the more polished skills, and power, durability and stamina play a very minimal role. So long as it doesn't escalate into a real fight, Wlad wins (but probably not in a clear cut fashion).

As for Klitschko-Chagaev, it is by far the best alternative available and I would consider the victor the new heavyweight champion of the world.

The circumstances under which both fighters will meet are hardly ideal-- with both having prepared for different opponents-- but it remains a happy coincidence that this fight will happen. That's it, that's enough for me. I'm not really expecting a very exciting fight. I just wish to God in Heaven it doesn't relapse into Klitschko-Ibragimov.

 

I've been thinking about this topic and I've decided a Wlad win will be enough to restore lineage and make a legit claim to be deemed the real HW champ.

First of all, the WBA is a horrific organization. Any body that splits its belts once someone unifies cannot be taken seriously. Chagaev is the legit WBA champ since he was never beaten and actually wants to fight the best and not hide behind a promoter or red tape.

If Wlad beats Chagaev, he will have beaten SEVEN ring ranked top 10 fighters since 05 including Peter, Byrd (ranked #1 at the time), Brock, Brewster, Iggy, Thompson, and Chagaev (ranked #3 currently).

Two of them (Sultan, Chagaev) would be reigning beltholders when Wlad beat them. So thats two unification fights and the Ring Title to boot.

Additionally, if Im not mistaken, Holmes became linear champ when one of the fighters he fought and beat became the WBA beltholder after their fight. THat seems very strange cause Wlad was in the exact same situation with Peter. He beat Peter when he was ranked #8 or 9. Then Peter went on to claim the WBC title and rise to #2 in the Ring Rankings yet Wlad wasn't given the title in this instance.

Add to the fact he will never fight the #2, then it sure seems Wlad deserves to follow in the footsteps of Lennox as the true and legit HW champion.

 

It's interesting looking at this thread in 2024.

 

I agree. Fascinating time capsule. Thanks for resurfacing it.

These people are talking more about the whole Chagaev v Valuev WBA controversy too. People don't really consider Chagaev a champ when Wlad beat him but he really was and this fight was for all the belts not held by Vitali.

 

Plus Wlad and Chagaev defeated every Top 10 heavyweight from 2005-2008 not named Vitali among each other. That was really the battle for the crown.