Would Vitali Klitschko be competitive in other eras?

[The Hammer]

Is Vitali Klitschko dominating his opponents because they're no good, or because HE'S a bona fide top heavyweight?

How would he do in other eras, such as the 30s against Max Baer, the 40s against Louis, the 50s against Marciano and Patterson, and the 60s vs Liston and Ali? How would he fare against Holmes, Tyson, Holyfield etc...

[Benny Leonard]

He is dominating his competition because they are average but he would give hell to anybody in any era anyway...he just wouldn't dominate them. It would be closer against certain fighters...like it was against Lennox Lewis.
He has fought enough opponents with certain threat levels that give you a good indication of how good he is.

Of course there is another debate on modern nutrition, training, surgery (for his back and knee problems), etc. allowing certain fighters to have an advantage for the long haul or even short-term, but...without that and sticking to basics...in his prime...Vitali has that type of top talent.


I posted this up not to long ago:

http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=309234

[dans]

Is Vitali Klitschko dominating his opponents because they're no good, or because HE'S a bona fide top heavyweight?

How would he do in other eras, such as the 30s against Max Baer, the 40s against Louis, the 50s against Marciano and Patterson, and the 60s vs Liston and Ali? How would he fare against Holmes, Tyson, Holyfield etc...

It's safe to say Vitali could compete with the best of any era.

I think when I think of HWs from other eras that could beat or give Vitali great competition, I think of Ali, Holyfield, Tyson (prime), Foreman, Holmes, Bowe, Liston, and Joe Louis.

When I think of HWs from other eras that I would favor Vitali to beat, I'd say Frazier, Marciano, Patterson, and Norton.

[street bully]

He would be able to compete in any era. I think he gets beat by Ali, Foreman, Holmes, and Lewis, but he could split fights, or beat down the rest. He would make it a fight for any of them. Vitali vs Foreman would be a classic brawl.

[bojangles1987]

Considering how small heavyweights were before the 70's, when they were more consistently above 6'0 and 200 pounds, Vitali would have owned the heavyweight division at 6'7 or 6'8 and 250. Throw him in with Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Norton, Holmes, and all those ridiculous heavyweights in the 70's and Vitali is no where near as close to the domination he has now.

[Haglerwins]

I think Vitali would've been a perrenial contender like Shavers.

[dans]

I think Vitali would've been a perrenial contender like Shavers.

Vitali has much more skill and is a much better all around fighter than Shavers. He would do much better than Shavers.

[Haglerwins]

Vitali has much more skill and is a much better all around fighter than Shavers. He would do much better than Shavers.

Maybe maybe not, but Shavers hit like a mule and he still had it rough at the championship level. These fighters now aren't good enough indicators for me on how well Vitali would do with ATG fighters.

[Mr. Philadel]

competetive...YES!!!.....dominant....NO!!

Foreman and Vitali would've been one for the ages!!!

[Ryn0]

Is Vitali Klitschko dominating his opponents because they're no good, or because HE'S a bona fide top heavyweight?

How would he do in other eras, such as the 30s against Max Baer, the 40s against Louis, the 50s against Marciano and Patterson, and the 60s vs Liston and Ali? How would he fare against Holmes, Tyson, Holyfield etc...

I must admit Tunney, you've changed your tune. You're much more open to suggesting, I know i've hated on the Klitchshos but its mostly been 'cause Wlad_owns and the like have been claiming he's the greatest fighter since sliced bread and the constant hate on Haye (which for a while I was frustrated with for not signing a fight)

For the record, I think Vitali would be competitive in any era but falling short against guys like Ali, Lewis, Tyson, Foreman but beating Dempsey, Marciano, Louis, Liston, Jackson etc.

Wlad would be more competitive in any era but his chin IMO wouldn't hold up against some of the bigger hitters cause if they landed just that one shot etc.