Zhang Vs Wlad

Wlad beat moorer, chagaev, ibragimov, thompson and byrd.
I think he is the most proven heavyweight champ vs southpaws.
Im picking wlad by boring ud.

 

Each of those fighters is lacking in at least one of the criteria in the description ‘hard hitting southpaw with size and the ability to counterpunch from range’.

Thompson was close and definitely impressive victories for Wlad. But he didn’t have nearly the same mentality or sharpshooting power of Zhang and Sanders.

 

I think Wlad would beat him. No need to overhype Zhang too much now…

 

If poor man's Wlad Hrgovic can beat Zhang then rich man's Hrgovic Wlad can certainly pull the trick.

 

Yeah, it would basically be a typical Wlad performance, pawing with the lead hand trying to get a read on Zhang, followed by the odd sharp one two down the pipe, gradually landing more shots as the rounds go on.

 

Tbf the reason Hrgovic made it through that fight is because of his ridiculous chin, something Wlad didn't have.

Wlad did have way better defense however.

 

Exactly - Zhang’s style and left hand is not that dissimilar at all to Sanders. Contrary to what has been suggested, the younger and more aggressive version of Wlad (ie the one we saw against Mercer etc) is likely to run into Zhang’s straight left and be badly hurt. I can see that ending the way Sanders ended. 2011-2012 Wlad on the other hand outboxes Zhang in a snoozefezt and finishes him around the 8-10th.

 

Wlad knew how to control the fight to his pace, Zhang is a very good fighter and you can't count him out, but you have to favor Wlad in this one.

 

The Wlad that was with Manny from 2006-2013 boxes the **** out of Zhang and possibly stops him late. But I’d put money on a UD win for Wlad. Zhang isn’t elusive enough to avoid Wlad’s shots and with Wlad (Much like Zhang) all it takes is one good one. Yes Zhang has a good chin with that big ass melon head of his but Wlad’s got ATG power.

Now the Wlad with Fritz from 1997-2003… Zhang would have a shot! That Wlad, while very entertaining also got overly aggressive sometimes and against a sniper like Zhang… might be Sanders all over again. 70/30 in that Wlad’s favor imo. But… stranger things have happened.

 

Exactly this. At the same time the Fritz version of Wlad comfortably dismantled McCline or Jefferson - both big strong f.ckers in their day. I also think Wlad could have defeated Sanders in a rematch, so even against the Fritz variant of Wlad I would not give Zhang more than 40% chance - but 40% i would give for sure.

 

Ohh The Fritz Wlad was awesome. No doubt about it! But he just gave his opponents more openings to attack. but at the same time threw some NASTY combos.

To completely shut out prime Chris Byrd like that is something not many could do. Byrd called Wlad the hardest puncher he faced. Not Ibeabuchi like many seem to speculate.

 

You gotta pick Wlad. He did well vs southpaws and he dominated for a decade. Zhang looked good against human heavy bag Joyce. It’s not enough to come close to picking him as impressive as he was last night.

 

Big bang Zhang definitely has a chance. Wlad didnt want Sanders rematch... So why not bet on Zhang?

 

Wladimir never fought Moorer.