Exactly how good is Vitali?

[kayjay]

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.

I'll but this, but I'd like to hear an elaboration

[j]

I'll but this, but I'd like to hear an elaboration

can you be a bit more specific on what you would like me to elaborate on?

[Mike Tyson77]

Id say Vitali is a top 15 or 20 ATG HW.

[j]

Id say Vitali is a top 15 or 20 ATG HW

well, if you're not just kidding around, i'd say that's kind of bold. vitali certainly had and has the potential for that as an achievement, bit most boxing pundits will argue that there is not really any legendary fighters in the game right now for him to prove himself against. and, i'd agree with that assessment.

however, he sould be recognized as our last great heavyweight champ in the regard that he brings his A game to every fight, and wins. even in his two losses, never being outboxed or knocked down against the two of the better heavyweights of the last 10 years or so.

vitali: awesome potential, but unfortunately not many fighters around that could boost his record. also, we must take into consideration that he has been battling injuries even before he started. much respect due.

[Mike Tyson77]

well, if you're not just kidding around, i'd say that's kind of bold. vitali certainly had and has the potential for that as an achievement, bit most boxing pundits will argue that there is not really any legendary fighters in the game right now for him to prove himself against. and, i'd agree with that assessment.

however, he sould be recognized as our last great heavyweight champ in the regard that he brings his A game to every fight, and wins. even in his two losses, never being outboxed or knocked down against the two of the better heavyweights of the last 10 years or so.

vitali: awesome potential, but unfortunately not many fighters around that could boost his record. also, we must take into consideration that he has been battling injuries even before he started. much respect due.

He's in my top 20. He had an awesome career and showed lot's of heart against the last Undisputed HW champ. 35-2 with 34 KO's aint bad either. He was a solid boxer and at 6'7'' and a half he would have given most HW's trouble.

[kayjay]

J, you wrote "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."

Now I understand that off-rhythm timing can be hard for fighters to adjust to (look at any of Calzaghe's KO's - it's like he lands punches on the off-beats), but how does someone throw punches with a 'broken rhythm'?

[.Mik.]

I think that if he wants to be considered as anything other than a solid heavy-weight who was the best of a bad bunch, then he still has a lot to prove.

Calling him top 20 of all time is bordering on mentalism. There was probably 7 or 8 merely from Ali's era who deserve to be ahead of him.

[Mike Tyson77]

Calling him top 20 of all time is bordering on mentalism. There was probably 7 or 8 merely from Ali's era who deserve to be ahead of him.

I dont think so. He had a great career and it's not over yet.

[.Mik.]

What has been his career high so far?

[j]

kayjay, ok, now i see what you wanted to be answered.

how does someone throw punches with a 'broken rhythm'?

it's like how you mentioned calzaghe can punch on an off beat. really, the same thing. vitali doesn't always need to be in rhythm to land a good punch as he seems to know how to drop his center(of coordination) in a fraction of a second to land a punch when an opponent doesn't expect it. i believe the punch on danny williams, you know that 3 inch left hook that dropped him, was a good representation of a punch seemingly out of rhythm that had enough force to drop the big bearded williams.

feel free to respond if you have any questions as i use a broken rhythm many times in sparring and know the ins and outs of it.

btw, old school emanuel augustus actually coordinates off of a broken rhythm quite a bit.