Did Vitali Klitschko duck Has-been Rahman back in 2005?

After all this time I won't quote dates, but if you've collected old posts then you'll have seen mine of that time. The fight was on, and Klitschko, when out jogging felt a thigh pain. He thought it was a torn muscle, and the fight was postponed for about 6-8 weeks, allowing the usual healing time for a torn muscle. it didn't heal, so Klitschko went to have a CT scan, and it was discovered that he had not torn a muscle, he had no injury at all. What he had was a pinched spinal nerve. The branch of the sciatic nerve which served the thigh had been compressed by a common problem, a bony spinal growth. (I've had the same operation myself) So he had back surgery and the surgeon snipped away the bony spur, easing the pressure. The doctor was interviewed on TV,confirming that it was indeed requiring surgery, and he showed what was done. The fight wasn't actually re-arranged, just suggested date etc. There were, no arenas booked, no tickets printed, nothing for a deliberate, specified date, because the healing and training times required were variable, but it was either one week or the next. In the meantime, Don King talked Rahman into taking a fight against his close friend, Monte Barrett, for just 7 weeks before the proposed new date of the Klitschko fight. Klitschko protested very strongly. Both Rahman and King swore that Rahman would be fit to fight against klitschko regardless of the Barrett fight. Later, although Klitschko was ready, there was never any more publicity over the fact that Rahman was not close to being ready. By the way, Rahman won that so-called fight, which, except for Haye-Valuev, and Haye-Harrison, was probably the worst heavyweight fight in recent history. Eventually the fight date was definitely agreed on, and, lo and behold, Klitschko smashed up his knee 9 days before the fight. Rahman and King were talking big, whilst he was being medically examined, that he was ducking Rahman and was afraid to fight him. There were interviews with the sparring partner with whose legs Klitschko became entangled. King was saying that Klitschko had been KD by this guy, but the sparring partner said, that he heard the snap of Kllitschko's knee, and he went down awkwardly. It was the Anterior Cruciate Ligament ACL). The WBC gave klitschko a 90 day extension, but, because the injury was potentially career ending, with, at best, a minimum of a year to heal, he was forced to retire. His knee was the only injury he suffered. As we all know, he made a comeback 4 years later, and is still going strong, with 9-10 defences so-far. To think that a killer like Klitschko was "ducking" an chinny pug like Rahman is beyond laughable. Klit isnt a killer, hes a weak arm puncher. He was quite right to duck a dangerous puncher like postprime Rahman.

It doesn't matter Wlad beat him a few years later. That's how it works in Klitschko Land. :lol1: yeah basically.

It doesn't matter Wlad beat him a few years later. That's how it works in Klitschko Land.

read it in full was responding to that "overrating Vitali" crap it's hardly an overstatement to pick Vit over him in 05 you responded like it was blasphemous Rahman doesn't see rd 7 against Vit in 05 not because Vit is "invincible," because Rahman is not that good I bet he sees round 7 easy.

Think you should've read my entire post. Rahman was inconsistent and at times unmotivated but when he was on his game, his jab was a problem for any heavweight. And Vitali wasn't invincible. Am I saying Rahman would've won? No. But I bet Vitali would look like the above average HW he was against him. read it in full was responding to that "overrating Vitali" crap it's hardly an overstatement to pick Vit over him in 05 you responded like it was blasphemous Rahman doesn't see rd 7 against Vit in 05 not because Vit is "invincible," because Rahman is not that good

who the fuck is overrating Vit? he woulda KO'd Rahman had he fought him in 05 if that's overrating to you, so be it not giving him the win on his resume like he actually did win just saying he woulda won if the fight had happened Think you should've read my entire post. Rahman was inconsistent and at times unmotivated but when he was on his game, his jab was a problem for any heavweight. And Vitali wasn't invincible. Am I saying Rahman would've won? No. But I bet Vitali would look like the above average HW he was against him.

Yeah there was a big difference between 2004/5 Rahman and the one Wlad beat 3-4 years later, just like Manny Pacquiao was a different fighter 3-4 years ago. Further, regardless of what he would've done to Rahman according to you, it didn't happen. And he didn't do it. I can say, based on style and resume, that I totally disagree with you--and I do. You severely overrate Vitali, as do many on here. Rahman was inconsistent and at times unmotivated but when he was on his game, his jab was a problem for any heavweight. And Vitali wasn't invincible. Am I saying Rahman would've won? No. But I bet Vitali would look like the above average HW he was against him. who the fuck is overrating Vit? he woulda KO'd Rahman had he fought him in 05 if that's overrating to you, so be it not giving him the win on his resume like he actually did win just saying he woulda won if the fight had happened

not talking about resumes talking about Rahman's stature, 05 vs 08 you're saying he was so much better in 05 than 08 not seeing it at all, just slightly, not significantly same so so fighter who'd lose quicker to the more aggressive of the Klits Yeah there was a big difference between 2004/5 Rahman and the one Wlad beat 3-4 years later, just like Manny Pacquiao was a different fighter 3-4 years ago. Further, regardless of what he would've done to Rahman according to you, it didn't happen. And he didn't do it. I can say, based on style and resume, that I totally disagree with you--and I do. You severely overrate Vitali, as do many on here. Rahman was inconsistent and at times unmotivated but when he was on his game, his jab was a problem for any heavweight. And Vitali wasn't invincible. Am I saying Rahman would've won? No. But I bet Vitali would look like the above average HW he was against him.

If your argument is over who he beat or lost to then Vitali had as good a chance of getting his ass kicked since his resume couldn't hold a candle to Rahman's. In fact, Rahman would easily have been the best win on his resume. Didn't happen--what else is new with Vitali? not talking about resumes talking about Rahman's stature, 05 vs 08 you're saying he was so much better in 05 than 08 not seeing it at all, just slightly, not significantly same so so fighter who'd lose quicker to the more aggressive of the Klits

dude, he cruised past weakass Barrett good effort against fat, past it Toney where he got robbed of a win then he got stopped by Maskaev had Vit fought him in that 05-06 timeframe, Rock gets KO'd don't see how he was all that much better from then to 08 he only looked solid vs Toney due to the repeated Vit training camps in that same shape, Vit still woulda kicked his ass If your argument is over who he beat or lost to then Vitali had as good a chance of getting his ass kicked since his resume couldn't hold a candle to Rahman's. In fact, Rahman would easily have been the best win on his resume. Didn't happen--what else is new with Vitali?

Rahman was just a fat, used up has-been when Wlad got to him. The Rahman Vitali avoided was the same guy who absolutely flattened Corrie Sanders, had KO'ed Lennox Lewis and had a slew of wins over contenders. In fact, his resume was much more impressive than Vitali's. And his jab and right hand were very formidable. Not the same fighter at all. dude, he cruised past weakass Barrett good effort against fat, past it Toney where he got robbed of a win then he got stopped by Maskaev had Vit fought him in that 05-06 timeframe, Rock gets KO'd don't see how he was all that much better from then to 08 he only looked solid vs Toney due to the repeated Vit training camps in that same shape, Vit still woulda kicked his ass

Rahman was a journeyman in both fights how much do you think he had left in 05? slightly better than when Wlad stopped him? sure significantly better? hell no Vit wouldn't have been as cautious as Wlad was Wlad picked him apart in measured fashion Vit circa 05 woulda ended it before rd 7 or 8 like Wlad did Rahman was just a fat, used up has-been when Wlad got to him. The Rahman Vitali avoided was the same guy who absolutely flattened Corrie Sanders, had KO'ed Lennox Lewis and had a slew of wins over contenders. In fact, his resume was much more impressive than Vitali's. And his jab and right hand were very formidable. Not the same fighter at all.

i highly doubt it,like ray said,it probably has more to do with (con)king!

First, there's a pretty big difference between the Rahman were discussing here and the Rahman who Wlad fought. Second, no he wouldn't have beat him up worse, please. Rahman was a journeyman in both fights how much do you think he had left in 05? slightly better than when Wlad stopped him? sure significantly better? hell no Vit wouldn't have been as cautious as Wlad was Wlad picked him apart in measured fashion Vit circa 05 woulda ended it before rd 7 or 8 like Wlad did

Thanks for the info, guys. Personally, I don't see why he'd avoid Rahman. The guy is average at best. He did avoid Rahman, but not because he was scared more to do with him and Shelly finkel not wanting to deal with Don King.

no, he just couldn't complete a training camp without getting injured why the hell would he duck Rahman? he woulda beaten him up worse than Wlad did First, there's a pretty big difference between the Rahman were discussing here and the Rahman who Wlad fought. Second, no he wouldn't have beat him up worse, please.

Thanks for the info, guys. Personally, I don't see why he'd avoid Rahman. The guy is average at best.

no, he just couldn't complete a training camp without getting injured why the hell would he duck Rahman? he woulda beaten him up worse than Wlad did

He had knee surgery and I dont believe it was the first time either. Thats why he retired and he didnt fight for several years. Yeah he came back when it properly healed and yeah it was a serious injury hence being out of the sport for several years. I believe he has had knee injuries earlier in his career but I dont know when. It is part of the reason for his "awkward" or "robotic" style. If you see him when he was really young he was a lot more fluid. This isnt the best video but it makes the point. There was another one with him bouncing around on his feet as a kickboxer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITxeqsCcOkk NVM he did have knee surgery back then

I know Vittles had back surgery but where is the info on this supposed ACL tear? Any tear of the 4 major ligaments of the knee (LCL, PCL, MCL, and ACL) can be potentially career ending. Even if someone does recover from it, usually he is not the same kind of athlete. Vittles has been looking fine 3 years after this supposed ACL injury in '05 ... pretty amazing how he came back at the age of 37 with no apparent problems with anything. He had knee surgery and I dont believe it was the first time either. Thats why he retired and he didnt fight for several years. Yeah he came back when it properly healed and yeah it was a serious injury hence being out of the sport for several years. I believe he has had knee injuries earlier in his career but I dont know when. It is part of the reason for his "awkward" or "robotic" style. If you see him when he was really young he was a lot more fluid. This isnt the best video but it makes the point. There was another one with him bouncing around on his feet as a kickboxer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITxeqsCcOkk