Exactly how good is Vitali?

**.Mik.** · 01-25-2007, 04:28 PM

To me, you summarised it perfectly in your last paragraph.

**PBDS** · 01-25-2007, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by !! Anorak

I've just sent a pm to a few of the gang explaining that I've **********d regularly since I heard the news... other than a brief time when Brewster looked hot, he's the only guy IMO that looked as if he could step into the fat Jamoc's shoes. The difference between him and the others looked like a gulf, and even though Wlad has many of the same qualities, he lacks the X Factor that Vitali has.

However, exactly how good is he? Let's not forget that in challenges for (non vacant) championship belts, he's actually gone 0-2. I believe Bozo may have mentioned this on just one occasion, but I can't be certain. Of course, he had the beating of Burd (his pronounciation) so that can be discounted. Both bruzzers could spit roast Burd between the two of them.

My impression of the Lewis (Loo-iz) fight was that the Fat Jamoc was lucky to get it stopped. In hindsight, and having watched the fight again, I think Big Len was about to visualise Vitali stealing his Red Stripe and definitely finish him off. It's a loss that's led to much of the mystique surrounding Vitali, the knowledge that not only could he hang with the last dominant unified champion of the division (albeit an old fat version) but also possibly beat him.

Since then, all we know is that he's gone and beat a fat and undertrained Corrie Sanders and beat Danny Williams. Now, we all know Danny actually TKO'd Vitali to the tune of a two-year count - his body couldn't take the vibrations from Danny's chin and broke down - but other than this one victory and one loss, what do we know about Vitali at world (vurld) level?

For me, the story is the same as it always was... if he comes back anything like his old form, then he looks by some way the best of a very bad bunch.

....If he stays healthy after the Maskaev fight he will be the first man to put Peter on the canvas and knock him out.

**psychopath** · 01-25-2007, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by !! Anorak

For me, the story is the same as it always was... if he comes back anything like his old form, then he looks by some way the best of a very bad bunch.

Damn Bro that last paragraph should say's it all.

This is the guy that can unify the titles, make no doubt about that.

**deuce_drop** · 01-25-2007, 05:28 PM

he's so good that he can retire without making his title defense then come back and jump the line and get a title shot, that's how good he is.

vitali is so good that he doesn't have to fight he just keeps pushing the fight date back time after time without penalty because he's so good.

vitali is so good that people make forum threads about him and people like me respond........................................... ................................................ou t of hate!

**The Wire** · 01-25-2007, 05:49 PM

He's a decent fighter in a poor era, but I think his brother would beat him. On the night he fought Lewis, I think we saw the worst of Lewis and the best of Vitali and Lewis still won. No way, in my opinion, would he have been able to live with a prime Lewis, Rid**** Bowe, prime Tyson, Holyfield, Louis or even an on song Little Klit.

But in this day and age, I wouldnt be surprised if the two brothers annex all four belts between them. They're clearly the two best heavyweights, and their size helps them immensely.

**.Mik.** · 01-25-2007, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by myunksafied

But in this day and age, I wouldnt be surprised if the two brothers annex all four belts between them. They're clearly the two best heavyweights, and their size helps them immensely.

I agree and I genuinely think that Audley Harrison might end up being a heavy weight power-player too. He has a chance at least.

Thats a big indication of the Heavy Weight division at the moment.

**kayjay** · 01-25-2007, 05:53 PM

He's good enough to shake of the 'Big Jamoc's' best uppercut, and so in that regard at least the toughest kid on the block. He's awkward; he doesn't look like Joe Louis now in his punch delivery. Hell he doesn't look like his younger brother in that regard. But we always have the feeling that Wlad can be beaten by a lucky punch. Not so Vitali.

j · 01-25-2007, 06:09 PM

vitali is the kind of fighter that doesn't really jump out as being a talented fighter. that's what gets in most fighters head when they watch him. that's why many fighters, and critics as well, haven't really thought of him as a major threat or great boxer.

however, once they have actually fought vitali, the tune changes immediately.

a trained eye will show that he has an innumerable amount of skills. it's the broken rhythm that he usually works with that seems to make people underestimate him. that same broken rhythm, however, has never been matched or figured out by any boxer he's fought so far.

bottom line, you really have to have a trained eye, and throw your previous knowledge and expectations of what great boxing looks like to appreciate or understand the man's skills.

having a martial arts backround as klitschko does, i notice things that people with boxing training alone will not notice and i fully appreciate what he can do when he's fully prepared and healthy.

**!!Captain** · 01-25-2007, 06:10 PM

There were so many arguments about Vitali vs. Lennox, but there will always be two points of view there:
1. If Vitali wasn't cut and the fight continued, he would KO Lewis in a couple of rounds.
2. If Vitali wasn't cut and the fight continued, he would be KOd by Lewis in a couple of rounds.

I think he was able to hang with the best of the best, held his ground, and showed that he belongs at the top. As of now, I don't think there is a HW in the division who stands a chance against him, including his very own brother.

Exactly how good is Vitali?