Beeing inspired by the Holmes/Lewis thread I´d like to know what you guys think about Wlads jab. I think he´s got an ATG jab but what about you?
I think you don't know what most people think. Yes, Wlad has one of the best jabs in heavyweight history. Probably the best since Holmes, but not the best of all time. He might have a top 5 jab at heavy.
It's definetly up there with the best ever. I think Holmes' was the most dominant jab ever, but Wlad's is close behind that. I love Ali's jab but it didn't do the damage Wlad's does. Liston's was heavier, but he wasn't as skilled with it as Klitschko. I think in terms of being well rounded, Klitschko belongs alongside Holmes and Lewis.
Definitely on the top level, but not the best, imo. I don't find it bat**** crazy if you think it's the best, because when you get at that level there's a certain level of subjectivity there. I think Holmes for the heavies. But Wlad's built a rather strong case for himself in the Sultan and Ruslan fights. I just don't think it's quite enough. By the time he's done, I guess you never know.
I'd say top 5 is right. 1. Holmes 2. Lewis 3. Klitschko 4. Ali 5. Liston I'd possibly swap Ali and Klitschko there though.
He has a ATG jab, everyone who remembers how he fired the telephone pole jab with KO power pre-Sanders knows that. Today he uses it as a disguise to soften up for bombs, which is different yet defensively more effective and less prone to getting countered Sanders-style (you need to be Sanders to do it though). No heavyweight had a better jab, especially not grinning machine gun jab Holmes.
I think part of the problem is the lack of good heavyweights out there. Yeah, his jab looked great against Ibragimov but people will always say "yeah, but that was Ibragimov" and there's no real comeback. If Wlad can dominate a really good heavyweight behind the jab, it would get more recognition.
Do you really think that Liston´s was heavier? Wlad has even used it to knock people down. It easily snaps heads back. Actually I don´t rate Lewis that high. Bowe or Ali were better jabbers IMHO.
I think people underrate Sultan. But the fact that he looks like Barney Rubble does not help. I WOULD like to see Wlad test that jab against a guy with some top notch head movement though. But that's not ever really been a standard trait for modern heavyweights. Which is why guys like Tyson were so unusual. But I get what you're saying anyway.
Wlad's jab is fast, snappy, consistent, pace controlling and thrown from a long distance since he's so tall. Yes, it's among the best ever.
I'd have to disagree with you about Lennox Lewis's jab. Yes, it was great at the end of his career, but he was not a consistently good jabber throughout his boxing life. For example, when he won the championship and fought guys like Frank Bruno and Tucker, his jab was nothing more than a range finder for that big right hand. As late at 2001 (I think), Lewis was completely outjabbed by Ray Mercer. I recently rewatched that fight and Lewis was badly outjabbed. I can't see Wlad being outjabbed by Ray Mercer. Therefore, I'd put Lewis down at the 5 spot.
