Why do people moan about Wlad never having beaten a HOF fighter...

[nomadman]

...when they know full well that a fighter is only eligible for induction five years after retirement?

Tyson only made it into the HOF this year, for goodness sake. Holyfield isn't in it yet due to the fact that he's still active. Since Wlad and his opponents are also active it's impossible for him to beat a HOF fighter unless they come out of retirement, doddering and wheezing, looking for that one last payday. Yeah, some achievement that will be.

As for future hall of famers, I can't predict the future and neither, last I checked, could anyone else on this planet. However, based on some of their previous inductees, I suspect Chris Byrd will get in due to his achievements and wins over Holyfield, Vitali and Tua. Not first ballot, but I think it'll happen. Adamek and a few others might be up for consideration depending on what they do from now until their retirement day, and if he sticks around after the Vitali fight he's a viable opponent. But like I said, I can't predict the future and neither can you.

Maybe in twenty years time we'll look back and see that Wlad didn't, in fact, beat any hall of famers, in which case the above criticism would be perfctly legit. Until then however it's a totally unfair and ridiculous thing to ask of him.

[bojangles1987]

We mean he's never beaten a fighter that will even be considered for the HOF. There's not one person on his record you would look at and say, "Yeah, he's a hall of famer."

Maybe Chris Byrd will get in, but he shouldn't.

[Welsh Jon]

First off there's no way Byrd of Adamek are getting in the HoF.

Secondly if people claim that Wlad is the greatest heavyweight of all time it's only natural that people will ask which great heavyweights did he beat to prove this.

So far he has beaten no great heavyweights. It's not his fault cos there are none around, save his brother who he's obviously not gonna fight.

I think it is fair to question someones greatness if he has not proven it against another great.

[Larry the boss]

no 1 on his resume is going to the hall of fame..nor on vitalis resume other than lewis who tko'd him

[nomadman]

We mean he's never beaten a fighter that will even be considered for the HOF. There's not one person on his record you would look at and say, "Yeah, he's a hall of famer."

Maybe Chris Byrd will get in, but he shouldn't.

I understand what they mean, but since we have no idea what any of Wlad's opponents are going to do in the future then it's a ridiculous thing to criticise him for.

Norton's routinely brought up as a HOF opponent of Ali's yet I remember there being some distinct grumbles about his induction. Byrd's on a similar level.

[nomadman]

no 1 on his resume is going to the hall of fame..nor on vitalis resume other than lewis who tko'd him

Can you look into your crystal ball and tell me what this weekend's winning lottery numbers are going to be. I'll green k you if you do!

[b0ndsj0ns20]

The fact that David Haye was the best opponent he's fought in years tells you the level of opposition he has faced, especially recently. It's not all his fault as many have said, there aren't great guys out there he is ducking or anything. Just a bad break for him to be in this era.

[AKATheMack]

What HOFers did LL beat? Old Holyfield and washed up Tyson. How about Tyson? Ancient Larry Holmes. Im not knocking anyone its just not every generation you have Ali, Frazier, Foreman and Norton. You can only credit fighters for facing the best possible opposition, I refuse to degrade a fighter based on lack of competition.

[nomadman]

First off there's no way Byrd of Adamek are getting in the HoF.

I said Adamek might possibly get in based on what he does from now on. As for Byrd, well, he was a former world champion with wins over a still game Holyfield, a prime Tua and a prime Vitali. I'd say that's more than enough to give him a shout, considering some of the fighters who've got in on far less. But you seem far more certain than I about the matter. Why?

Secondly if people claim that Wlad is the greatest heavyweight of all time it's only natural that people will ask which great heavyweights did he beat to prove this.

So far he has beaten no great heavyweights. It's not his fault cos there are none around, save his brother who he's obviously not gonna fight.

I think it is fair to question someones greatness if he has not proven it against another great.

Yeah that's fair enough. If people are going to claim things like that then it's only fair they back them up.

[nomadman]

The fact that David Haye was the best opponent he's fought in years tells you the level of opposition he has faced, especially recently. It's not all his fault as many have said, there aren't great guys out there he is ducking or anything. Just a bad break for him to be in this era.

David haye was the most hyped opponent Wlad has beaten in the last few years, not necessarily his best.