I don't agree with this article and I'm a Byrd fan! But nonetheless I thought that its good to hear a different point of view.

Is Wladimir Klitschko a 'Shot' Fighter?

17.04.06 - By Tim Neilson: Wladimir Klitschko, 30, will be fighting Chris Byrd this Saturday, April 22nd in Mannheim, Germany. Based on what I've been reading, many people are under the impression that Wladimir (45-3, 40 KO's) will simply be too much for Chris Byrd, who at 6'ft, is a liliputian compared to compared to the 6'7" Klitschko giant.

Based on size alone, you would think that this will be an easy fight for Wladimir, right? Wrong! Although Wladimir beat Chris Byrd, winning a 12-round decision in October 14, 2000, Wladimir is nowhere near the same fighter, having been knocked out twice since then and on the verge of another knockout in his last fight against Sam Peter, in September 24, 2005.

Let's return, then, to the point in Wladimir's career where, I feel, he was ruined as a fighter and that was in his fight against Ross Purity, on December 5, 1998. Purity, a hard punching journeyman with a dismal 24-13-1 record, was punched silly by Wladimir for 10 rounds, but then the fight suddenly changed late in the 10th, when Purity landed a hard right to Wladimir's chin, hurting him badly.. The round ended with Wladimir taking vicious head shots from Purity. In the following round, Purity immediatley pounced on Wladimir, who out on his feet and almost helpless. His corner, seeing that Wladimir couldn't do anything to keep Purity off of him, ran into the ring and stopped the fight before Wladimir could take any further punches to the head.

At the time of the fight, Wadimir had a record of 24-2 with 22 knockouts, which spoke volumes about his punching power. However, what the record didn't show was that Wladimir hadn't really been tested during any of those earlier fights. I mean, he had fought essentially 3rd tier fighters who were not even close to being in the same league as Wladimir. So, basically, you could call Ross Purtity, a 2nd tier fighter, Wladimir's first real fight and it marks where, in my opinion, Wladimir was ruined physically and mentally as a fighter. A lot of people point towards Wladimr's fight with the South African, Corrie Sanders (38-2, 29 KO's), in March 8th, 2003, as the point where Wladimir was beaten down and destroyed as a credible fighter, however, I disagree strongly with that opinion. True, it obviously didn't help that Wladimir was brutally chopped down in two rounds by the Sanders, a knockout artist of the first order.

However, I think Wladimir had never gotten over the Puritty loss, mostly from the chin standpoint but also with his confidence, which took a major nose dive following his loss to Puritty. To Wladimir's credit, he did what he could after his loss to Puritty, to steer his career back on course, by winning his next sixteen fights over mostly soft opposition. However, Wladimir was carefully brought along, keeping him away from really hard punchers, other than Derrick Jefferson, who despite having tremendous punching power, had a chin much like Wladimir's.

When the decision was made to fight Corrie Sanders, in my mind, Wladimir didn't stand a chance and was not even close to being ready, if he ever could again. For one thing, Sanders was a southpaw, with extremely fast hands, much faster than Wladimir's. For another, Sanders was almost the same size as Wladimr, meaning that in order for Wladimir to win the fight, he would have to be able to take a certain amount of hard punches to the head, something that I feel that he could no longer take. His only chance, then, was to run from Sanders, jab like crazy and protect his eggshell chin, but unfortunately for him, Wladimir decided to go right after Sanders and try to knock him out. It was a foolhardy decision, in my opinion, and those close to Wladimir, his trainer and management, should have warned him about doing such a thing.

Following Wladimir's fight with Sanders, he had two easy victories over light punching opponents, Fabio Moli and Danell Nicholson, before being put in with another huge puncher, Lamon Brewster (29-2, 26 KO's), in April 10, 2004. Again, Wladimir showed that he couldn't take a big punch, when after giving Brewster a sustained beating for four rounds, the fight suddenly changed when Brewster landed a left hook to the chin of Wladimir and hurting him badly. Wladimir was saved by the bell that ended the fourth round. However, in the next round, Brewster quickly put Wladimir away, winning the fight by 5th round TKO. Just as with his fight with Corrie Sanders, it was only a matter of time before Brewster knocked out Wladimir and, strangely enough, I think Wladimir might have known that himself because he seemed incredibly nervous all throughout the fight. By the time Brewster finally landed his final huge left hook to win the fight, Wladimir looked to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. All I can think was, he was deathly afraid of getting knocked out again, after feeling Brewster's power early in the first round. Nevertheless, it was one more indication that Wladimir didn't have it anymore, whether it be physically or mentally, and that he should be considering another type of career.

In Wladimir's next fight, he was, for some strange reason, matched up with another hard puncher, in DaVarryl Williamson (20-2, 17 KO's). I suppose Wladimir thought it would be an easy fight, considering that Williamson had been destoyed a year earlier by Joe Mesi, losing by 1st round knockout. However, after chasing the timid Williamson around the ring for 4 rounds, Williamson suddenly stopped in his tracks and briefly returned fire, landing a big right hand that landed on the tender chin of Wladimr, knocking him to the canvas. Wladimir made it up on weak legs and somehow made it to the end of the round without going down again. In the next round, thankfully for Wladimir, the fight was stopped after Wladimir experienced a cut over his eye when he dumped heads with Williamson. The fight went to the cards and Wladimir won by technical decision.

Finally, we get to Wladimir's last fight against Sam Peter, a fight that many of his fans, for some odd reason, like to point out, saying that Wladimir has progressed. However, believe me, there was no improvement in Wladimir, and he showed that his ability to take a punch was still deeply suspect, after getting knocked down three separate times by Peter in the bout. Honestly, the only thing I can really consider an improvement is his ability to clinch and thus, avoid taking punishment. Wladimir, also showed that he can run, since that's what he did for most of the fight because when he stood his ground, Peter would bore in on him and land big shots. To be fair, Wladimir returned fire quite often, and landed some beautiful rights, and left hooks, but for the most part, he was always in danger of being stopped.

So, with a weak chin and shattered confidence, can Wladimir win against Chris Byrd on Saturday night? The answer is, No! Sorry, but Wladimir is too far gone, in my opinion, to beat someone as skilled as Chris Byrd, who has improved steadily over the past 5 years. Based on what I’ve seen of Byrd in his past several fights, I predict a stoppage win by Byrd, probably by the 8th round. It’s too bad, because Wladimir could have been a great one, maybe even a hall of famer, who knows?

At the time of the fight, Wadimir had a record of 24-2 with 22 knockouts, which spoke volumes about his punching power. However, what the record didn't show was that Wladimir hadn't really been tested during any of those earlier fights.


......The author of this article has no idea what Wlad's record was when he fought Purrity as indicated above. How can he be taken seriously? Not only that, but Wlad's biggest wins came after the Purrity fight. And this was from a shot fighter? ha ha What a moron this writer is.

no, he is just a fighter with a bad chin, not to good stamina, and had some mental weakness, he showed he has improved his mental state with his showing vs peter, but he still had a weak chin and can get tired

I am still up in the air about Wlad. He may have the chin of a dentist, and no stamina...but look who he's fought man. I mean....Sanders, Williamson, Byrd, Peter,Brewster...If you havent noticed...his weak chin has been in with the bigger punchers of the division. Cept for Byrd of course. He isnt afraid of byrds power...so he will not have the crazy mental issues to deal with. Therefore...I think he will knock Byrds teeth out. If byrd stops running long enough to let that happen. The only real chance I give byrd is running around long enough to let Wlad pass out, which..isnt that bad of a plan.

what i want to know is how can anyone be a tyrd fan?
and arent you a paulie "growing up gatti" malignaggi fan too?

At the time of the fight, Wadimir had a record of 24-2 with 22 knockouts, which spoke volumes about his punching power. However, what the record didn't show was that Wladimir hadn't really been tested during any of those earlier fights.


......The author of this article has no idea what Wlad's record was when he fought Purrity as indicated above. How can he be taken seriously? Not only that, but Wlad's biggest wins came after the Purrity fight. And this was from a shot fighter? ha ha What a moron this writer is.



Wlad just kicked Peter's ass, which is great for a "shot" fighter. If Wlad beats Brewster in a rematch, I will return to his bandwagon. Wlad is a gifted boxer, and his heart did well in the last fight.

Chris Byrd is gonna get KOed.

Wlad just kicked Peter's ass, which is great for a "shot" fighter. If Wlad beats Brewster in a rematch, I will return to his bandwagon. Wlad is a gifted boxer, and his heart did well in the last fight.

Kicked his ass? Yes he exspoed him but got knocked down three times in the process and held a ton. Peter was exposed as a hype job.

what i want to know is how can anyone be a tyrd fan?
and arent you a paulie "growing up gatti" malignaggi fan too?

Well I can see that your a boxing fan that doesn't show any respect to fighters. Luckily they don't give a **** what people say on message boards.

And so what if I do like those guys?

Wladimir Klitschko is far from a shot fighter, but his sense of invincibility is long since gone. He's an intelligent, well-educated, big, strong, athletic, well-trained, broad-shouldered man but he's not a true warrior. He doesn't really like to fight. Joe Frazier liked to fight which is why he never held. Julio Cesar Chavez liked to fight. Felix Trinidad liked to fight. Rocky Marciano liked to fight. Wladimir likes to beat guys up but gets scared if they fight back. I think that he will have an easy time with Byrd, but if you put him in with an iron-chinned warrior he will only win if the referee lets him clinch repeatedly, which is the only way he could beat Samuel Peter. That fight was a good example of how important a referee can be. If Wladimir had been warned and penalized for holding early on in that fight he would not have survived.

Wladimir Klitschko is far from a shot fighter, but his sense of invincibility is long since gone. He's an intelligent, well-educated, big, strong, athletic, well-trained, broad-shouldered man but he's not a true warrior. He doesn't really like to fight. Joe Frazier liked to fight which is why he never held. Julio Cesar Chavez liked to fight. Felix Trinidad liked to fight. Rocky Marciano liked to fight. Wladimir likes to beat guys up but gets scared if they fight back. I think that he will have an easy time with Byrd, but if you put him in with an iron-chinned warrior he will only win if the referee lets him clinch repeatedly, which is the only way he could beat Samuel Peter. That fight was a good example of how important a referee can be. If Wladimir had been warned and penalized for holding early on in that fight he would not have survived.


Excellent post my friend!

Excellent post my friend!

lol.

This coming from a guy who claimed that everyone who stepped into the ring was a warrior.

Go figure. You need mental help man....seriously.

And ****ing "Chris Byrd" is a warrior?

whatever....get bent.

lol.

This coming from a guy who claimed that everyone who stepped into the ring was a warrior.

Go figure.

Hes a warrior like all fighters but hes not a true warrior like the guy in your sig.

And u say that I flame?

Hes a warrior like a fighters but hes not a true warrior like the guy in your sig.

And u say that I flame?

You actually have the ****ing audacity to claim Wlad is not a "warrior" but in the same regard claim Chris Byrd is a Warrior?

He's a ****ing ***** that runs away from people in the ring.

You're deluded.

lol.

This coming from a guy who claimed that everyone who stepped into the ring was a warrior.

Go figure. You need mental help man....seriously.

And ****ing "Chris Byrd" is a warrior?

whatever....get bent.

You don't think that Chris Byrd is a warrior? Wow, and whats your ****ing problem, are u pissed off tonite?

Byrd has suffered knockout losses also...everyone should remember the Ibeabuchi fight...everyone but Byrd that is

You actually have the ****ing audacity to claim Wlad is not a "warrior" but in the same regard claim Chris Byrd is a Warrior?

He's a ****ing ***** that runs away from people in the ring.

You're deluded.

Hes a *****? Nobody has ever questioned this mans heart, he has fought some monsters, Ike, Tua, and Wlad. I thought that u said that Byrd gained your respect for taking the rematch with Wlad?

Wlad has not shown the kind of warrior spirit that guys like Gatti, Ward, etc. show. Thats not to say that he won't but he just hasn't up to this point.

Good grief man, u need to relax.

You don't think that Chris Byrd is a warrior? Wow, and whats your ****ing problem, are u pissed off tonite?


After reading most of your two faced idiotic posts....yeah I am.

I find one too many contradictions, especially when you critiscise others for being quote un quote...."contradictory".

1.) You ***** about people calling fighters names....when you are easily one of the most disrespectful posters towards fighters you don't like.

2.) You claim every fighter is a warrior....but since one is fighting your boyfriend...you change your mind.

3.) You claim people "randomly attack you" on the internet like I did in this thread? guess what. You're easily the biggest ****ing random flaming douche on this site.

I don't like you man.

If I saw you in person.....me and my cousins would gangbang you and your strawberry shortcake ass.

After reading most of your two faced idiotic posts....yeah I am.

I find one too many contradictions, especially when you critiscise others for being quote un quote...."contradictory".

1.) You ***** about people calling fighters names....when you are easily one of the most disrespectful posters towards fighters you don't like.

2.) You claim every fighter is a warrior....but since one is fighting your boyfriend...you change your mind.

3.) You claim people "randomly attack you" on the internet like I did in this thread? guess what. You're easily the biggest ****ing random flaming douche on this site.

I don't like you man.

If I saw you in person.....me and my cousins would gangbang you and your strawberry shortcake ass.

WHOA!!! You crossed the line, and I will report u.

Are u hear to talk boxing or pick fights? You claim that all u want to do is talk boxing, but u end up talking ****.

This stuff is totally uncalled for.

WHOA!!! You crossed the line, and I will report u.

Are u hear to talk boxing or pick fights? You claim that all u want to do is talk boxing, but u end up talking ****.

This stuff is totally uncalled for.

Report me like you do everyone else.

Nobody likes you on this site.....because of your two facedness.

I come here to talk boxing....you come here to piss people off.

Report me like you do everyone else.

Nobody likes you on this site.....because of your two facedness.

I come here to talk boxing....you come here to piss people off.

So this is what you call talking boxing? Saying if u ever meet me face to face you'll gangbang me? And I get it that being "popular" and having "friends" on a website is important to people like u who are just plain angry with their lives and post on this site because they having nothing else to do. No social life, no real friends, nothing.

I actually feel sorry for you, life is not worth getting this pissed off.

Outta respect for this forum, I will not engage u in anymore conversation since you are obviosuly an angry, hateful peron.

Wlad is not shot and his confidence has to be sky high since schooling the hard punching Peter.It may not have been pretty but Wlad gave Peter a boxing lesson.Trust me I'm no Wlad fan and I like Peter a lot but facts are facts.Wlad KO 8 Byrd.

No social life, no real friends, nothing.


lol you're a dork.

I'm more than likely going to get married soon....and won't be posting on the "internet" as much as I normally do.

Untill then, I'd like to clean this place out of worthless, self righteous, *******s like you. Remember that nobody likes you....seriously. That's an extention of you in real life.

You're a hall monitor, and dork.

Wlad is not shot and his confidence has to be sky high since schooling the hard punching Peter.It may not have been pretty but Wlad gave Peter a boxing lesson.Trust me I'm no Wlad fan and I like Peter a lot but facts are facts.Wlad KO 8 Byrd.

I just rewatched the first fight and it really was amazing how much Wlad dominated. I think that he stops my boy late in 10 or 11.

WHOA!!! You crossed the line, and I will report u.

LOl, how may time did you click on the report button??? Be honest?

LOl, how may time did you click on the report button??? Be honest?

Once is enough.

What he said is uncalled for, especially since hes hear to "talk boxing." I also like how acts like he has a social life, but his goal is to come on here and get rid of people like me. :rolleyes: I think he is missing his own hypocrisy.

But gunstar if your gonna post in this thread please contribute and actually post on boxing. If not than please don't post.

Once is enough.

What he said is uncalled for, especially since hes hear to "talk boxing." I also like how acts like he has a social life, but his goal is to come on here and get rid of people like me. :rolleyes: I think he is missing his own hypocrisy.

But gunstar if your gonna post in this thread please contribute and actually post on boxing. If not than please don't post.I don't have a problem with you, but no offense, hitting the report button is pretty gay. I've never used that **** once. I'm just getting a little sick of you mentioning the report button every time you're debating with someone.

I don't have a problem with you, but no offense, hitting the report button is pretty gay. I've never used that **** once. I'm just getting a little sick of you mentioning the report button every time you're debating with someone.

dude i like you but i have a cousin that is gay and i dont like the way youre throwing that term around. plus you said the "s-word" im gonna have to report you. :rolleyes:

Klitschko never had much going for him from the get-go....

Kicked his ass? Yes he exspoed him but got knocked down three times in the process and held a ton. Peter was exposed as a hype job.

how hard can it be to understand that a rabbit punch and a push dont make legit kds?

its common knowledge, but stil people say got kd 3 times(i guess they like to say it).

how hard can it be to understand that a rabbit punch and a push dont make legit kds?


exactly. the only problem here is the incompetence of the ref who failed to point them out, so it stands that way on paper. but the schooled well educated boxing fans know what is what.

all boxing fans know those were not legit.

however is like i discuss wald with someone and they go"but he got kd 3 times" than i mention the pushing and rabbit punching and they go "ok ok".

than the next thread i find them in they say wlad got kd 3 times again (by some reason people love to say it).

I don't agree with this article and I'm a Byrd fan! But nonetheless I thought that its good to hear a different point of view.

Is Wladimir Klitschko a 'Shot' Fighter?

17.04.06 - By Tim Neilson: Wladimir Klitschko, 30, will be fighting Chris Byrd this Saturday, April 22nd in Mannheim, Germany. Based on what I've been reading, many people are under the impression that Wladimir (45-3, 40 KO's) will simply be too much for Chris Byrd, who at 6'ft, is a liliputian compared to compared to the 6'7" Klitschko giant.

Based on size alone, you would think that this will be an easy fight for Wladimir, right? Wrong! Although Wladimir beat Chris Byrd, winning a 12-round decision in October 14, 2000, Wladimir is nowhere near the same fighter, having been knocked out twice since then and on the verge of another knockout in his last fight against Sam Peter, in September 24, 2005.

Let's return, then, to the point in Wladimir's career where, I feel, he was ruined as a fighter and that was in his fight against Ross Purity, on December 5, 1998. Purity, a hard punching journeyman with a dismal 24-13-1 record, was punched silly by Wladimir for 10 rounds, but then the fight suddenly changed late in the 10th, when Purity landed a hard right to Wladimir's chin, hurting him badly.. The round ended with Wladimir taking vicious head shots from Purity. In the following round, Purity immediatley pounced on Wladimir, who out on his feet and almost helpless. His corner, seeing that Wladimir couldn't do anything to keep Purity off of him, ran into the ring and stopped the fight before Wladimir could take any further punches to the head.

At the time of the fight, Wadimir had a record of 24-2 with 22 knockouts, which spoke volumes about his punching power. However, what the record didn't show was that Wladimir hadn't really been tested during any of those earlier fights. I mean, he had fought essentially 3rd tier fighters who were not even close to being in the same league as Wladimir. So, basically, you could call Ross Purtity, a 2nd tier fighter, Wladimir's first real fight and it marks where, in my opinion, Wladimir was ruined physically and mentally as a fighter. A lot of people point towards Wladimr's fight with the South African, Corrie Sanders (38-2, 29 KO's), in March 8th, 2003, as the point where Wladimir was beaten down and destroyed as a credible fighter, however, I disagree strongly with that opinion. True, it obviously didn't help that Wladimir was brutally chopped down in two rounds by the Sanders, a knockout artist of the first order.

However, I think Wladimir had never gotten over the Puritty loss, mostly from the chin standpoint but also with his confidence, which took a major nose dive following his loss to Puritty. To Wladimir's credit, he did what he could after his loss to Puritty, to steer his career back on course, by winning his next sixteen fights over mostly soft opposition. However, Wladimir was carefully brought along, keeping him away from really hard punchers, other than Derrick Jefferson, who despite having tremendous punching power, had a chin much like Wladimir's.

When the decision was made to fight Corrie Sanders, in my mind, Wladimir didn't stand a chance and was not even close to being ready, if he ever could again. For one thing, Sanders was a southpaw, with extremely fast hands, much faster than Wladimir's. For another, Sanders was almost the same size as Wladimr, meaning that in order for Wladimir to win the fight, he would have to be able to take a certain amount of hard punches to the head, something that I feel that he could no longer take. His only chance, then, was to run from Sanders, jab like crazy and protect his eggshell chin, but unfortunately for him, Wladimir decided to go right after Sanders and try to knock him out. It was a foolhardy decision, in my opinion, and those close to Wladimir, his trainer and management, should have warned him about doing such a thing.

Following Wladimir's fight with Sanders, he had two easy victories over light punching opponents, Fabio Moli and Danell Nicholson, before being put in with another huge puncher, Lamon Brewster (29-2, 26 KO's), in April 10, 2004. Again, Wladimir showed that he couldn't take a big punch, when after giving Brewster a sustained beating for four rounds, the fight suddenly changed when Brewster landed a left hook to the chin of Wladimir and hurting him badly. Wladimir was saved by the bell that ended the fourth round. However, in the next round, Brewster quickly put Wladimir away, winning the fight by 5th round TKO. Just as with his fight with Corrie Sanders, it was only a matter of time before Brewster knocked out Wladimir and, strangely enough, I think Wladimir might have known that himself because he seemed incredibly nervous all throughout the fight. By the time Brewster finally landed his final huge left hook to win the fight, Wladimir looked to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. All I can think was, he was deathly afraid of getting knocked out again, after feeling Brewster's power early in the first round. Nevertheless, it was one more indication that Wladimir didn't have it anymore, whether it be physically or mentally, and that he should be considering another type of career.

In Wladimir's next fight, he was, for some strange reason, matched up with another hard puncher, in DaVarryl Williamson (20-2, 17 KO's). I suppose Wladimir thought it would be an easy fight, considering that Williamson had been destoyed a year earlier by Joe Mesi, losing by 1st round knockout. However, after chasing the timid Williamson around the ring for 4 rounds, Williamson suddenly stopped in his tracks and briefly returned fire, landing a big right hand that landed on the tender chin of Wladimr, knocking him to the canvas. Wladimir made it up on weak legs and somehow made it to the end of the round without going down again. In the next round, thankfully for Wladimir, the fight was stopped after Wladimir experienced a cut over his eye when he dumped heads with Williamson. The fight went to the cards and Wladimir won by technical decision.

Finally, we get to Wladimir's last fight against Sam Peter, a fight that many of his fans, for some odd reason, like to point out, saying that Wladimir has progressed. However, believe me, there was no improvement in Wladimir, and he showed that his ability to take a punch was still deeply suspect, after getting knocked down three separate times by Peter in the bout. Honestly, the only thing I can really consider an improvement is his ability to clinch and thus, avoid taking punishment. Wladimir, also showed that he can run, since that's what he did for most of the fight because when he stood his ground, Peter would bore in on him and land big shots. To be fair, Wladimir returned fire quite often, and landed some beautiful rights, and left hooks, but for the most part, he was always in danger of being stopped.

So, with a weak chin and shattered confidence, can Wladimir win against Chris Byrd on Saturday night? The answer is, No! Sorry, but Wladimir is too far gone, in my opinion, to beat someone as skilled as Chris Byrd, who has improved steadily over the past 5 years. Based on what I’ve seen of Byrd in his past several fights, I predict a stoppage win by Byrd, probably by the 8th round. It’s too bad, because Wladimir could have been a great one, maybe even a hall of famer, who knows?

Not to sound too biased myself, but where in the hell is he getting this stuff? Byrd has improved since their first fight and Wlad has become a shot fighter?
He thinks that because Sanders and Brewster stopped Wlad Byrd will beat him too? Where's the logic, you can't compare Byrd to Sanders and Brewster, they're punchers and he's a boxer, a technician. He thinks that because Wlad got dropped by Peter that his confidence is shattered to the point that he'd be afraid of going after Byrd? C'mon, that's exactly the reason he'll be all the more confident going in to the fight against Byrd, he knows Byrd can't hold a candle to Peter's power. I mean anything can happen, but he's giving no logical argument for why Byrd is going to stop Wlad by round 8 lol

At the time of the fight, Wadimir had a record of 24-2 with 22 knockouts, which spoke volumes about his punching power. However, what the record didn't show was that Wladimir hadn't really been tested during any of those earlier fights.


......The author of this article has no idea what Wlad's record was when he fought Purrity as indicated above. How can he be taken seriously? Not only that, but Wlad's biggest wins came after the Purrity fight. And this was from a shot fighter? ha ha What a moron this writer is.

no kidding. wlad was undefeated before the purity fight, and then had his big wins after...i dont get this guy at all. what an idiot.