Will Vitali get respect if he wins Saturday night

he has my respect but I think its gonna be a tough fight for VK

Vitali has my respect. The point is, media and public aren't giving division champs enough respect due to the different boxing orgs and other issues ( crime, judge decisions...) The problem is the quality of the heavies as well, though. Boxing isn't popular but people generally understand who is a true champ. Hopkins isn't that popular but people who know him understand that he is the true top fighter at the moment. I like Vitali but you can't just blame the ignorance of the general public on his lack of recognition.

Vitali has my respect. The point is, media and public aren't giving division champs enough respect due to the different boxing orgs and other issues ( crime, judge decisions...)

If he wins big (and I mean KO1 or 2) people might start to notice, though they may just chalk it up to him beating another inferior opponent like Kirk. The problem is that I don't see a contender coming along anytime soon that is anywhere near well-known by the general public, so he will probably never be a "famous" heavyweight. As for his reputation among true boxing fans, I think most people agree that he needs to take on one more top contender before he is widely recognized as the true champ.

he already has my respect and i see him as the true hw champ but this fight doesnt do much to reinfroce that but i still see him as the real hw champ

I really don't think Williams really deserves a title fight. Kinda like saying Larry Donald does, he beat Holyfield... Evander has been undisputed and has won back the title. Williams was in the right place at the right time. I think Eric Moral could have beaten Tyson that night. Tyson doesn't have the stock value he one did. Just because you beat Mike, shouldn't catapault you to the top. I think Vitali is a great fighter and athlete, but he needs to beat Byrd to solidify his career and take out Ruiz for good measure. If he is bored he can go after the WBO. I am not putting down VK at all, I think he has the skills to do it. He has the heart to do it. Sad part to think about.... What if Williams wins? very well said. vitaly is gonna have to fight one of the other champs to get respect. while i don't think that williams is a nobody, i think he will have to fight one of the other title holders to really gain respect. he needs to fight byrd first to clear up his past and then get rid of ruiz. i don't think as bad of ruiz as most of you do but i get tired of seeing his fights. if williams was a little more known then he would help boost vitalys credibility as a top notch champ. but at the moment williams was never heard of in the US before tyson and everyone will agree that tyson was shot before williams ever started boxing.

vitali already has my respect. irrespective of the outcome sat night I may be supporting Danny but that doesnt mean i am blind to the qualites that vitali has. hes a big mean hard mofo who makes the best of his abilities. :cool: i also think he is exciting to watch he loves to go to war! :cool:

Lets see how VK weathers the storm. DW will probably jump on him from the opening bell.

Whether or not you think Williams deserves a title shot, whether or not you think he's good, the mans still a big danger to ANY heavyweight. I'd give Klitchko respect for beating Williams because he's gone in with a live opponent who's come to win.

Williams has definitely been in the right place at the right time but he'll probably suprise a lot of people, win or lose. I think you'll see some pretty nice combos from him and plenty of heart.

There's always that chance that Williams will win. As far as beating byrd and ruiz are they actually any better then Williams? Or are we just saying that wiliiams got real lucky and now is the end of his glory. Byrd, absolutely... Ruiz, well he does what he has to do to win. Are they better, I have to say yes until they fight. Just based on Resumes. Who has Williams beaten? (Besides a hurt Tyson) They have belts and Williams is as good as the WBO champ, Lamon Brewster. I will give him that.

There's always that chance that Williams will win. As far as beating byrd and ruiz are they actually any better then Williams? Or are we just saying that wiliiams got real lucky and now is the end of his glory.

I really don't think Williams really deserves a title fight. Kinda like saying Larry Donald does, he beat Holyfield... Evander has been undisputed and has won back the title. Williams was in the right place at the right time. I think Eric Moral could have beaten Tyson that night. Tyson doesn't have the stock value he one did. Just because you beat Mike, shouldn't catapault you to the top. I think Vitali is a great fighter and athlete, but he needs to beat Byrd to solidify his career and take out Ruiz for good measure. If he is bored he can go after the WBO. I am not putting down VK at all, I think he has the skills to do it. He has the heart to do it. Sad part to think about.... What if Williams wins?

he got battered by tyson then produced a big ko once tyson had injured his leg. when was tysons last good performance??? Williams got a title shot because tyson generates interest and not because tyson has any serious talent left

But he took out Tyson so that should make him one of the Big Boys.

oh come on...if he beats williams hes beaten williams. thats it williams doesnt have any wins on his record that makes this fight anything more than a fight to keep vitali busy until he can get a shot at one of the other champs.