Wladimir on course to "semi" greatness?

[Technical_Skill]

Never mind "semi greatness", Wlad is well on his way to being the greatest heavyweight in history. No other fighter has ever so totally dominated the heavyweight ranks as Wlad appears to be doing right now. And I predicted this for him years ago, the very first time I saw him.





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Do you think Wlad can be greater than Joe Louis and Cassius Clay?

[werewolf]

He doesn't have a "glass chin". He more than proved that vs. Peter.

Clay-Ali was the biggest boxing hype job in history. He was humorous and he made for good tv interviews. Many of his fights were questionable, to put it mildly. Crooked decisions by crooked judges (that's a redundancy, actually - like saying "crooked politicians" or "unscrupulous car salesmen"), fixed ring ropes, fixed gloves, Black ****** intimidation.

Louis also had questionable wins, like Schmeling 2, and look who he fought, like in his so-called bum of the month club, and a lot of his oponents were weighing in in the 170's, 180's, 190's. They'd be light heavies or cruiserweights today.

Neither of them would have a chance against the much bigger and stronger and faster and harder punching Wlad. It might be interesting to see them fight the other current champs. They MIGHT have a chance, though they'd be outweighed and out-powered.






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[YNWA]

if vitalis comeback goes well hell be remembered a lot more favourably

[JakeNDaBox]

Our very own Cliff Rold raised a point earlier in the year (though for his former home), with which I've always and still agree. Wlad beating the winner of Peter-Maskaev gives the division its true champion.

Right now, Wlad is clearly the #1 heavyweight, but not THE champ. Wlad-Peter II or Wlad-Maskaev would give us a bonafide heavyweight champion, and Ibragimov-Chagaev providing the top challenger.

In that sense, full unification will erase any and all questions. But for the sake of a direct path to the top, Wlad-Peter/Maskaev winner is the only fight that matters. After winning THAT fight, we can then consider Wlad to be on the road to greatness.

[JakeNDaBox]

if vitalis comeback goes well hell be remembered a lot more favourably

IF...

But for the moment, Vitali's best known for his brave effort put forth in his LOSS to Lennox Lewis. He garnered quite a bit of sympathy, especially after Lewis refused to give him a rematch, and ultimately settled on retirement (though I'll always contend that a better conditioned Lennox has an easier time w/ Vitali). But all of that went out of the window when he strung along Rahman for all of '05 before "retiring" without a fight.

Vitali has a long way to go before being considered great, or even semi-great.

[werewolf]

Well, Wlad has already decisively beaten Peter, despite rabbit punches and phony referee Randy Neumann.





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[JakeNDaBox]

I know, I was thinking of that as well. But beating Maskaev would lend more credibility to Peter's claim as the 2nd best heavyweight.

In that vein, though, I'd rather see Maskaev win and then Wlad-Maskaev.

[werewolf]

I know, I was thinking of that as well. But beating Maskaev would lend more credibility to Peter's claim as the 2nd best heavyweight.

In that vein, though, I'd rather see Maskaev win and then Wlad-Maskaev.

I agree. I think Wlad-Maskaev is the best heavyweight fight out there, though I like both of them, and don't really want to see one of them (Maskaev) lose.





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[YNWA]

IF...

But for the moment, Vitali's best known for his brave effort put forth in his LOSS to Lennox Lewis. He garnered quite a bit of sympathy, especially after Lewis refused to give him a rematch, and ultimately settled on retirement (though I'll always contend that a better conditioned Lennox has an easier time w/ Vitali). But all of that went out of the window when he strung along Rahman for all of '05 before "retiring" without a fight.

Vitali has a long way to go before being considered great, or even semi-great.

but he didnt have humiliating ko losses to poor fighters.

[Xcel]

Read your post. You say most impressive wins are Brewster - always a dangerous puncher, Brock - undefeated, Byrd - longest reigning HW champ
Peter - always a dangerous puncher, undefeated.

Who on that list is GREAT?