Knock Knock, It's father time at the door. What's next for Wlad - the debate

Make no bones about it - styles make fights and all the rest of it, and we have previous experience of Wlad having shall we say, not particularly aesthetically pleasing battles with the likes of Ibragimov and Chambers. Movement frustrates Wlad - that much is clear. Another thing that is clear is that Wlad is reluctant to push the pace or really attack without being literally dragged into that kind of battle or having a human punchbag in front of him. Was Jennings underrated? Definitely to an extent. He didn't do anything special, but considering his lack of experience, and fairly basic strategy, he acquitted himself well. His movement and athleticism rank him high in the current standard of heavyweights. Do Wlad's problems stem from physical or mental issues - or perhaps both? As poster DrEisenfaust said in the RBR thread, arrogance or a lack of taking this particular challenge seriously, or being too comfortable, can be the downfall of Wlad. I agree to an extent, but I cannot hide that I believe father time has truly knocked on the door, quite literally. Wlad seems gun shy. He looked uneasy at times tonight, almost worried and clueless at times. Listless. He should not look that way against someone like Bryant Jennings. Almost devoid of ideas. I'd actually be very worried if in a fight with a Fury or Wilder, Wlad finds himself out of his comfort zone. Although I'd like to believe he will perform far better v tougher perceived threats, and taller guys with less movement, on tonight's performance and Wlad's age and changing priorities, I'm doubting it. Clinching reared it's ugly head again and I am actually truly intrigued as I can't even imagine what Wlad would do if he was on a last, potential DQ warning and maybe in the middle of a fight. Clinching, although occasionally not his fault, seems to be almost a reflex reaction... Really, judging also from Wlad's interview, I would be surprised if we see Wlad fight more than 2 or 3 more times, or more than another year. As a fan, I'd like to think this was a blip caused by underestimating an opponent, but this Wlad is sadly to say as likely to be dethroned as ever v a young hungry fighter with true dangers to Wlad, like Wilder's power or Fury's roughness - something the game but outgunned Jennings just didn't possess. Thoughts? Discuss

Comments (20)

For Wlad to win a rematch, he would have to develop an inside game and learn how to throw body punches. Two things he's never done in his career It's actually quite amazing how bad Wlad looked in terms of technique as well...normally although he uses a limited arsenal, he is pretty textbook, but has seemed all over the place tonight and against Jennings (lest we forget the self uppercut)... but tonight he was completely failing to execute a technical punch...all over the place, elbows in, accuracy terrible and a seeming wane in speed and power. All in all a continuation of what I saw v Jennings, I knew something was up and this certainly proved it.

10y ago

LomaUsykKlichko

For Wlad to win a rematch, he would have to develop an inside game and learn how to throw body punches. Two things he's never done in his career Yeah that's why I don't see him wining a rematch hopefully he stays retired maybe he can fight some bum in Ukraine for his farewell fight

10y ago

BostonGuy

I hope he doesn't I don't see Wlad doing anything differently to win a rematch For Wlad to win a rematch, he would have to develop an inside game and learn how to throw body punches. Two things he's never done in his career

10y ago

LomaUsykKlichko

Yes, he really should retire but many boxers want to go out on their own terms. Does anyone think Wlad should exercise his rematch clause and rematch Fury in 2016? I hope he doesn't I don't see Wlad doing anything differently to win a rematch

10y ago

BostonGuy

Thanks. I think the unanimous result will be retirement. I think that's the best option for him now because he might further tarnish his legacy attempting to continue. Yes, he really should retire but many boxers want to go out on their own terms. Does anyone think Wlad should exercise his rematch clause and rematch Fury in 2016?

10y ago

PainfromUkraine

Added a poll to the thread....:frown: Thanks. I think the unanimous result will be retirement. I think that's the best option for him now because he might further tarnish his legacy attempting to continue.

10y ago

BostonGuy

Added a poll to the thread....:frown:

10y ago

Simurgh

if he can, chase wilder. get wbc title and retire. he still beats wilder easy.

10y ago

PainfromUkraine

Just bumping this thread when I called this to happen after Jennings. Lol, it's actually how accurate it was, looking back at it now...

10y ago

jas

He should retire But he won't And he will get beat before he does retire

11y ago

PainfromUkraine

I am not convinced about Banks as Wlad's trainer. He looked clueless between the rounds and just kept saying 'keep boxing'.. I have much more confidence in Vitali giving him advice than Banks. James Ali Bashir actually would probably be the better choice. He coaches Usyk at the moment, and obviously has more of a strictly coach perspective, while Banks is sometimes giving advice as a fighter...I think he feels like he is the one fighting, and gives advice that might work for him, but doesn't for someone like Wlad who has a different fighting style and strengths in his arsenal.

11y ago

Simurgh

I am not convinced about Banks as Wlad's trainer. He looked clueless between the rounds and just kept saying 'keep boxing'.. I have much more confidence in Vitali giving him advice than Banks.

11y ago

Joe_Beamish

Klinschko still looks effective. He jabs so well, and throws the 1-2 so well, and uses his reach and clinch so well, I still don't see anyone beating him for a couple years. He was an ugly boring fighter years ago and he still is today.

11y ago

soul_survivor

Wlad is slowing down but he was still very dominant last night, the only issue was that he wasn't winning rounds easily, mainly cos he had to try and catch Jennings all night long. I think Wlad is ripe for the taking and just need a heavyweight with size and speed. I'd go with Fury. It's a close one though.

11y ago

PainfromUkraine

of course he has aged, he's 39 for christ sake. the problem is, even this version of wladimir klitschko is way above everybody else. jennings is like a hw version of tim bradley: he's athletic, is good and solid in about every department but not great. he was very mobile last night and had a high guard - things wlad isn't use to face. as for wlad, he has slowed down a little, of course. however, i don't think he's slowed down enough for others to have a realtic shot at beating him. people mention fury and wilder, lol please, they both will get knocked out within 6 rounds, i'm sure of that. wlad's left hook will find them again and again. they pose no threat to him imo. the only guy i would give a solid shot to beat klitschko was and still is alexander povetkin (with a unbiased ref of course). he (unlike wilder and fury) has the tools . other than him, nada. I agree with you, but we will have to see how he performs in his next fight. Fighting Fury is a perfect opportunity for him to hit a target that's right there in front of him and will also be engaging. If he still looks passive and slow as he did v Jennings, then it's not worth risking his legacy to lose to a fairly average champ like Wilder.

11y ago

slimshandy69

I had him winning 11-1 , not sure why you're concerned? Fury always had the potential to give him issues on paper, Wilder always had a puncher's chance and Wlad has always risked DQ by holding when fighting abroad. I didn't hear much from his interview to suggest he was going to retire and I'm not sure he will any time soon. i agree, he barely lost a round. Wlad has just had a baby, he may have been nervous about being in America, and he may have mentally(not physically) underestimatedthe game jennings. But he still barely lost a round, i wish i had these sorts of crisis in my life.

11y ago

Szef

11y ago

PainfromUkraine

Last night wasn't Wlad's best performance by any measure, but he got the job done dominating most of the fight with his superior boxing skills and solid defense. I think he was a little nervous and maybe a lil too tentative with his offense but he had a real live opponent in front of him. He was definitely out of his comfort zone for stretches during the fight but I didn't see any glaring holes in game and obvious signs of age. Even without the clinching, he was able to fight almost a complete fight against a determined and very mobile opponent. What next for Wlad? Well, Tyson Fury - an opponent who I think Wlad will easily knockout. Fury is a huge target for Wlad and he will not be able to employ enough movement to escape Wlad's offense. At least with Jennings, Bryant was very agile, mobile and employed a lot of head and foot movement. Tyson Fury is a huge guy and he will not be able to defend as effectively against Wladimir. I agree - Wlad v taller guy should surely be a better spectacle and we will see a knockout either way. I would like Jennings to fight Wilder. That fight would be a very solid challenge for Deontay straight off the bat and would create some buzz in America I assume with two home fighters fighting for a belt...like the old days. And since Jennings want a rematch, let him take that belt off Wilder and then make a unification with Wlad. Works for all parties.

11y ago

BostonGuy

11y ago

PainfromUkraine

No, in fact, he mentioned fighting his mandatories so I don't think retirement is on his mind. Also, there have been numerous articles in the past month or so, stating that he would like to stick around for a few more years. Fury is up next - hopefully he wins that in impressive fashion, which might create demand again for him to come over to the States once more and have the big unification in Vegas with Wilder. I'm going to give Wlad the benefit of the doubt and put this performance down to a bad clash of styles, but if he continues to look as bad as he did tonight v Fury, I think it's time up.

11y ago