I was at sparring sessions. They were held at Terry Clayborns Gym in LA. 10 days before fight with Rahman Raphael Butler wobbled Vitali. They replaced him with Walker. Walker dropped him with left hook body and Vitali claimed he sprained knee. Two days later Butler dropped Vitali like sack of potatoes with right hand to chin. Vitali pulled out of fight and retired two days later blaming his knee. Walker has power to knock anybody out. He has good chin as well. He is not ready for top contender yet as he only had 32 amatuer fights and has only had real boxing trainer for two years. He is still very green but has improved dramactically in two years. If he continues to improve could challenge for title. Great work ethic, great condition, great power, good chin, big guy, decent hand speed, very determined and big heart
Young Heavies
LOS ANGELES, CA – In this era of professional boxing where there is no clear-cut, dominant world heavyweight champion, promoter Dan Goossen – undeterred by the recent highly-disputed decision loss sustained by his highest-ranked heavyweight James “Lights Out” Toney – is looking forward to the continued rise of a trio of talented boxers managed by Steve Munisteri and having them make a major impact in the division in 2007. details]
I have seen these three fight this year and all look impressive. Walker destroyed John Clark and Tann did same to Dereck Berry. Both looked real good. Butler after setbacks looks like he is serious now and was in great shape last fight. Division needs this new blood.
He took good shots against Sanders and Lewis so I wouldnt be worried.
I was there on the Friday it happened and was told what happened on previous day sparring which was I believe on Wednesday not Thursday as Dick says. It was at Terry Clyburns pound for pound Gym not La Brae Gym. On Wednesday Butler wobbled Vitali so they pulled him out and put in Walker. Walker dropped him with body shot. Vitali said he twisted knee going down but still continued workout. On Friday the day I actually witnessed, Vitali had knee sleeve brace on but was able to spar with it. After about a minute or two Butler caught him with big shot to chin and dropped Vitali hard. when Vitali got up he said he hurt his knee worse going down. He stopped sparring. However next day ,I was not there, I am told he sparred with Ed Mahone. He then pulled out of fight next day claiming severe knee injury. For those that dont think this happened I would point out Vitali has his sparring filmed. If this didnt happen wouldnt Vitali camp release tape as proof when story first hit media in 2005? Also pictures of Vitali campaigning in Kiev for mayor were on internet next month after supposed injury yet pictures didnt show him with brace,cane nor was his campaigning seemingly hampered. You can believe this or not but it happened. Anyone at Clyburns can confirm.
Vitali has been knocked down three times in fights. He was knocked out by Oleg Maskev in amatuers and twice as kickboxer.Yes he was kickboxer before he was regular boxer. Butler and Walker not bums. Both National Golden Gloves Champs, Walker 2003,Butler 2004. Walker also made it to Olympic trials where he lost controversial decision to Jason Estrada. He beat undefeated Estrada as a pro. Butler is huge puncher. He has knocked down 27 of 29 opponnents he has fought. Example he knocked down Cornelius Ellis 4 times in 4 minutes, same Ellis who went distance With McCall ,Chambers(close majority decision) and Alonzo Butler. Raphael Butler weakness is only fair chin and sometimes underachieves but has lot of natural talent. Both men really big. Butler 6'3andhalf,250, Walker 6'4" and 245.