Lennox Lewis: "Vitali is BETTER than Wladimir"

[SuckaPunch]

from Fat Dan's article today

Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis is quite familiar with Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. He fought Vitali and acted out fight scenes in a movie with Wladimir.

Lewis correctly believes both are bound for the International Boxing Hall of Fame, but he thinks Vitali is the better of the heavyweight champion brothers, although most have Wladimir ranked ahead of his older brother.

...

As for which brother is better? Lewis quickly said Vitali.

"Well, obviously the older one is always the better one, I say," said Lewis, whose only in-ring experience with Wladimir was when they filmed fight scenes in the film "Ocean's Eleven." "Plus, he's the most awkward in my books. He's very long and lanky, and you know he uses that long reach and his height very well. He also throws a good combination punching, and he knows how to keep you off balance, so definitely Vitali."

To read the rest of the article...

http://espn.go.com/sports/boxing/blo...hes-klitschkos

[Las Vegas,]

Vit is better...don't see how people thought Wlad was better.

[lefthook2daliva]

I've always thought Vitali was the better of the two.

Lennox was right on the money about Vitali's akwardness and use of his height. Wlad may look slicker, but does he actually get hit any less? I'm not convinced.

As far as power it seems to be fashionable these days to consider Wlad the heavier handed of the two, but what evidence is there of that? Neither of them have faced alot of stellar competition, so I'll go w/KO % as an indication of power. Vitali wins that comparison as well.

Finally, I would rather watch Vitali than Wlad because he has a far better chin and paces himself better and therefore uses the hit/hug method less than Wlad is forced to.

Don't get me wrong, I admire both brothers and I very much doubt (unless Vitali gets old all at once tomorrow) that either will be beaten by any of the current crop of contenders, but I'm w/LL on this one: Vitali is the better of the two Klits.

[big red davis]

common knowledge...vitali is just a smarter fighter...

[Steak]

Wladimir is the better fighter. hes beaten more top competition than Vitali.

He also hits harder and has more boxing ability, although Vitali is more durable.

[toysale]

Wladimir is an excellent fighter, no question, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't bore me in a lot of his fights with his safety first approach; but he fights how he fights.

Vitali is the more dangerous of the brothers as he goes for it, is less boring to watch (IMO) and fights a smart fight. Having said that, besides Vitali himself (who believes Wlad is better), there aren't many people who thought the Wladimir was the better fighter are there?

[VatoMulatto]

I think Wlad is the overall better boxer but Vitali's akward style and the fact that he's mentally stronger and better chin makes him harder to beat if that makes sense.

Wlad is definitely the bigger puncher. He got true One punch KO power and is one of the hardest punchers of all time in the HW division.

[dvb]

when i think vitali is better,i think this in the way that vitali is the harder one to beat.

vitali might not be as powerful or as co-ordinated or as great with movement,speed or defence,but he still has an akward horrible but effective defence and has power,has the reach down,and can really fight and let his hands go.

[Joeyzagz]

Wladimir is the better fighter. hes beaten more top competition than Vitali.

He also hits harder and has more boxing ability, although Vitali is more durable.

Bullsh8t. Wlad actually got tagged by Sam Peter in both fights.

Vitali did not, and made Sam quit in the 8th. Theres no comparison.

[Steak]

Bullsh8t. Wlad actually got tagged by Sam Peter in both fights.

Vitali did not, and made Sam quit in the 8th. Theres no comparison.

Wladimir is better against boxers, Vitali is better against fighters

Wladimir is still the more accomplished.