Vitali

[Weltschmerz]

45-2 (41 KO)
3 time world champion.
2nd highest knockout-to-fight ratio (87 percent) of any champion in heavyweight boxing history, only bested by Rocky Marciano.
8th longest reigning heavyweight champion ever.
Never knocked down in his pro boxing career and barely losing a handful of rounds in his 16 yr pro career, only 2 losses coming by way stoppages due to injuries, Vitali being ahead on all score cards in both fights.

Vitali deserves to mentioned among the great HW's in the history of the sport. He had a 4 yr lay-off during a time period which could arguably have been the absolute prime of a monster of a fighter, and he was always fighting as the WBC champ in the shadow of Wlad holding all the belts. He should have been the greatest HW of his generation, but will unfortunately not be remembered as such.

Vitali dominated every fighter he faced; he's one of the most feared and intimidating HW champs ever, with tons of skill and natural fighting instinct to come along.

Vitali will be missed in the heavyweight division, but never forgotten.

[SBleeder]

Vitali will be rightfully remembered as a talented heavyweight who almost never challenged himself by fighting quality opposition and who was stopped by the two best fighters he faced.

[Weltschmerz]

Vitali will be rightfully remembered as a talented heavyweight who almost never challenged himself by fighting quality opposition and who was stopped by the two best fighters he faced.

Define 'quality opposition'. He faced quality opponents, plenty. Less, due to his long layoff and his brother's presence, not least.

Vitali was never truly defeated, everybody knows.

[Anthony342]

Good, one of the best of his time. I wouldn't say great and definitely not ATG. Head to head, he'd have a shot at some of the past greats, but resume wise is where he's lacking.

[Weltschmerz]

Good, one of the best of his time. I wouldn't say great and definitely not ATG. Head to head, he'd have a shot at some of the past greats, but resume wise is where he's lacking.

Why isn't he an ATG? On paper, he's one of the greatest ever.

[New England]

Define 'quality opposition'. He faced quality opponents, plenty. Less, due to his long layoff and his brother's presence, not least.

Vitali was never truly defeated, everybody knows.

a stoppage on cuts is not a "true defeat?"

that was some of the worst facial damage you'll ever see in a prizefight.

[-Huey-]

Remembered as one of the greats? Pffft...please!

[GeneralZod]

Define 'quality opposition'. He faced quality opponents, plenty. Less, due to his long layoff and his brother's presence, not least.

Vitali was never truly defeated, everybody knows.

I've never seen a plain loss fought over so much as the Lewis one. Vitali lost move on, if he's truly that great and one of the greatest how much does it really damage him?

[Weltschmerz]

a stoppage on cuts is not a "true defeat?"

that was some of the worst facial damage you'll ever see in a prizefight.

No, there's been plenty of bad mess in that regard

Morales-Maidana, Rahman-Holyfield, Gatti-Gomez, Malignaggi-Cotto, Ali-Norton, etc.

The Lewis fight was never, and will never be a true defeat. Vitali wanted and was ready to fight on, and he would have won.

[Weltschmerz]

I've never seen a plain loss fought over so much as the Lewis one. Vitali lost move on, if he's truly that great and one of the greatest how much does it really damage him?

It doesn't, only the fools discrediting him.