Four of Vitali's past five opponents outweighed him

[Ben_London.]

People in the media like Teddy Atlas always talk about out some great "size" and "reach" advantage the Klitschkos have over their opponents...

But a closer look reveals that advantage may not really exist.

Yes, the Klitschkos are taller than most of their opponents. But as far as reach and arm length are concerned, many of Wlad's opponents, including the last two, have had the advantage over him. And at least 20 of Wlad's opponents have weighed more than him!

And four of Vitali's past five opponents have weighed more than he does: Lennox Lewis (who also had a reach advantage over Vitali of 84" to 80"), Kirk Johnson, Danny Williams, and Sam Peter. You may say they were fatties, but if Vitali can stay in shape and his opponents can't, then good for him!

Interestingly, even Paul Williams has a longer reach than Vitali, 82" to 80".

[Pugilistic™]

Vitali better hope Williams doesn't come up to heavyweight.

Williams KO1.

[Davros?]

People in the media like Teddy Atlas always talk about out some great "size" and "reach" advantage the Klitschkos have over their opponents...

But a closer look reveals that advantage may not really exist.

Yes, the Klitschkos are taller than most of their opponents. But as far as reach and arm length are concerned, many of Wlad's opponents, including the last two, have had the advantage over him. And at least 20 of Wlad's opponents have weighed more than him!

And four of Vitali's past five opponents have weighed more than he does: Lennox Lewis (who also had a reach advantage over Vitali of 84" to 80"), Kirk Johnson, Danny Williams, and Sam Peter. You may say they were fatties, but if Vitali can stay in shape and his opponents can't, then good for him!

Interestingly, even Paul Williams has a longer reach than Vitali, 82" to 80".

Yeah they have an advantge around the waist line lol, most of them are fat though Danny Williams and Sam Peter dont have a natural weight adv they were just overweight. but even if they were in shape Vitali would have prob won.

[hookoutofhell]

is sam peter really that fat? i mean hes not like james toney was fat or even danny williams/matt skelton fat?

in the weigh in he looks alright, not pacman like ripped but does he just have big abs?

[BennyST]

Being a lot taller is better than having a reach advantage. If you are taller than your opponent by a fair bit but have a similar reach, you still have a big advantage. Being taller is a big thing. Until you fight it's hard to realise just how much it helps.

[Ben_London.]

Being a lot taller is better than having a reach advantage. If you are taller than your opponent by a fair bit but have a similar reach, you still have a big advantage. Being taller is a big thing. Until you fight it's hard to realise just how much it helps.

I have fought, and I've found that reach is more important than height.

Being tall leaves one vulnerable to body punches - watch Hatton against many of his opponents, or Pacquiao-De La Hoya. Watch Mike Tyson against virtually all his opponents.

But getting past the jab of someone with long arms isn't easy.