If anyone beats Vitali now, does it count?

[PittyPat]

You've got one camp who'll say "He's old and past his prime", whilst another will say "He's still the joint-best HW in the world, and is unbeatable". So what happens if someone comes along and does beat him? Will it be immediately discredited because he was too old?

For me, if anyone manages to beat him now - either by KO or decision - I would consider it a tremendous achievement and an excellent win on their resume. I don't care if it's Briggs, Adamek, Valuev, Haye or whoever. If you beat Vitali decisively, you're the man.

[Allucard]

He is OLD. The fact he is still dominant and considering the fact he failed to overthrown the last unified champion in his last (the champion's) last fight goes to show just how weak the division has become. At this point i think Wlad is better but Vitali still has something left.

[S.G.]

Yeah it does count for sure, but you also have to acknowledge that he's old. So if someone came along and beat him now they'd recieve all the credit due for beating arguably the joint best heavyweight in the world, but not quite as much credit as if they'd beaten a prime Vitali.

[WladIsTheChamp]

There should have been a third option "It doesn't count as much", it still counts but not as much, especially if it's someone who is ten years younger.

Vitaly is an ATG, that's why he is still able to do what he does, but he is waaay past his physical prime, he can't do the same things he did back in 2000, knee, back, and shoulder surgeries plus 10 years don't really make you prime physical speciemen. I would say that Wlad is past his physical prime, he isn't shopworn like Vitaly, but he is past it. He changed his style, but no way is he better physically then say when he was 26-28.

[bojangles1987]

It would still be a big deal, though not as big a deal as it would have been two years ago. I think most people realize Wlad is the dominant brother now, and the bigger win, but Vitali is still a dominant champ and anyone that beat him would get the credit they deserve for it.

[bboy80]

Of course it matters its like saying a win over bhop, jmm do count either, they do they are all top fighters.

And considering no one has beaten Vitali since he has been back it matters even more.

[The Hammer]

He is OLD. The fact he is still dominant and considering the fact he failed to overthrown the last unified champion in his last (the champion's) last fight goes to show just how weak the division has become.

You have to put a negative spin on it, don't you?

No, it shows what a great heavyweight Vitali is. Give the man the credit he deserves!

[The Big Dunn]

You've got one camp who'll say "He's old and past his prime", whilst another will say "He's still the joint-best HW in the world, and is unbeatable". So what happens if someone comes along and does beat him? Will it be immediately discredited because he was too old?

For me, if anyone manages to beat him now - either by KO or decision - I would consider it a tremendous achievement and an excellent win on their resume. I don't care if it's Briggs, Adamek, Valuev, Haye or whoever. If you beat Vitali decisively, you're the man.

Obviously, it depends on what happens in the fight. IMO its huge if its anyone else but Haye or Adamek. They are IMO legitimate contenders. If its Briggs, Valuev, or another C-list fighter that Vitali is FAR superior to, then it would likely be his age catching up to him.

[street bully]

Still counts, but the man is old, and will fall off very soon. I think he should fight once a year to preserve what he has left now.

[Wlad Klitschko]

Still counts, but the man is old, and will fall off very soon. I think he should fight once a year to preserve what he has left now.

I would agree, and I know that works for BHop. I think Vitali is trying to be as active as possible now:
1. Because there are things he wants to do outside of the ring. Unlike certain fighters, boxing isnt all he knows.
2. I think he sees himself as a ticking time bomb and that his time is counting down. He wants to get in as many wins as possible. I dont think its rest he needs or anything, he barely gets hurt in his fights, i think he just feels that inevitably age will catch him.

Oh and its still a huge accomplishment, and in many ways it would "save" the hw division if Vitali lost, especially to someone like Haye and then there was a unification bout/revenge bout with Wlad.

I dont think Vitali will lose before he retires. I think he goes 3 more fights. He is waiting for that Lewis moment in my mind. Someone comes along who doesnt back down, who shows that youre fading. Its hard to give something up when you cant be beat.