wladimir klitscho to take on Wach or Pulev next

I don't think the IBF tournament fell apart. However, by no means has it been finalized (obviously). I am willing to take the wait and see approach. What I imagine is/was happening is that fighters like Solis, Wach, Ustinov, Pulev, etc. have received both an invite to the IBF tourney AND initial contract negotiations with K2 for a Fall match with Wladimir. They and their promoter's will have to determine which way they want to pursue.

 

Wallworkjake,

I admit Pulev is far from perfect, but watching the Walker and Dimitrenko fights was refreshing from the overweight tubs of lard like Arreola/Solis. Pulev shows no overwhelming power such as Abdusalamov (at least at the stage he is in) but he is significantly bigger than Ruslan Chagaev and Sultan Ibragimov were. He does seem somewhat wild, be he has above average speed and "energy." I personally lump him in with Helenius and David Price as the most likely future heavyweight champions. Others I am sure will tend to disagree, but we will just have to see what the future holds. I agree with you that at this stage Wladimir would defeat him handily, he has less than 20 fights. A loss to the champion will not end his career.

 

@feldmunster - Thanks for the response. Glad to see someone give and educated opinion. You made some good points, but I don't think Pulev is that much bigger than Chagaev or Ibragimov.

Plus I wouldn't put Pulev in the same league as David Price or Helenius. I personally put Price in a league of his own ahead of all the other prospects and contenders out their. Helenius has more power, and as of yet, shown more toughness than Pulev against greater competition.

 

100% agree. It would be better for the HW division if the challenger actually had at least a couple of wins against top 10. So if Pulev was in the tournament and won then he would have Ws over Dimi, Solis, Adamek/Walker. Thats a very solid resume. Exactly how Povetkin got his number 1 spot. THe ******* havent utilized his rating though. People forget that he was the most exciting prospect in 08 when he was fighting top opponents in his 15th fight and on.

Pulev is obviously a good name, but if he was given more time so he could get some quality wins then people would actually be excited about a possible Wlad-Pulev fight.
Wach is fine I think as I dont see him getting any better.

 

I wouldn't go so far as "educated," but it is an opinion. Chagaev 5'11" 230, Ibragimov 6'2" 220, Pulev 6'4" 245. I think the size difference is significant enough for him to hold his own against bigger foes, but not necessarily a Klitschko.

I have to admit, watching Price's fight against Sexton was quite impressive. He does fight similarly to Wladimir (a compliment) but was more willing to throw hooks and uppercuts, not to mention bodyshots. I think he is wasting his time fighting Audley Harrison next. It's a complete media/money grab. He would do better fighting someone who will "make him look bad" but teach him a ton...a southpaw, a swarmer, or an iron-chinned warrior that he cannot knockout. I will withhold further judgement on Helenius until he comes back and proves that his showing against Chisora was more injury related than anything.

 

Okay I didn't know Pulev was 6ft 4, but he doesn't use his height to his full advantage.

I agree with you, Price will learn NOTHING from beating Audley. I think Helenius could have done better against Chisora with a fully fit arm, but still would have got beat in a competitive fight. Helenius beats Pulev for me.

 

Ouch! You just pounded him with a brutal "I know you are but what am I" comeback.

Remind me not to offend you--I don't want to get cut by that razor sharp British wit anytime soon.

 

Good choices. Wlad continues to to fight guys to build a resume.

Unlike Vitali, who does not seem to care so much about his.

 

Helenius is injured
price said Not yet
Fury said Not yet

you are an idiot who thinks that wlad can make ANY fight he wants.... it just doesnt work like that and you ****ing know it...... or maybe you dont ****:deal

"Booed in the US"... are you kidding me... we have sold out MSG and staples center to cheering crowds...... I know that kills you but deal with it:smooch

 

How was the crowd for the Ibragimov fight?

 

Agreed, but Fury? Puh-leeez, he's the most overrated HW on ESB.

I'd LOVE to see Wlad fight Mago! Mago is sloppy & one-dimensional, but He'd still have a decent chance. If he could get in past Wlad's jab, I think the big guy would come crashing down.

 

Povetkin needs to retire. If he isn't willing to grow some balls and step up to Wlad, then he needs to go.

I understand some of the greener guys saying not yet, but Pov has no damned excuse. He's wearing that worthless strap, now he needs to earn it. ****ing disgraceful.

 

I don't think that all of the flack that Wladimir gets for that fight is justified. I was there, and I don't remember many people being unhappy until after the 12th round was over, due to a lack of a KO. There were a ton of Ukrainian and Russian immigrants (or descendants) that went back and forth cheering for each man. The Russian fans chanted I-brag-i-mov only to be overwhelmed [outnumbered] by chants of Klitsch-Ko. Before the fight, on the undercard, there was a John Duddy fight if I recall....people were getting restless.

I believe that today, people are almost spoiled by Wladimir's unification of the IBF, WBO, and WBA heavyweight titles. They were all fractured for so long, that the Ibragimov fight does not get the credit that it truly deserves. It was a somewhat seminal moment in the modern heavyweight division and Wladimir's career.

 

exactly how i remember it:good