The Flaws of The Klitschko Brothers

[-KPB-]

They're great white boxers from the eastern side of the world.

I hate it that they call them boring but the American HWs from the last couple decades or so were the real boring ones (apart from Tyson). Look at the mega HW fights and count the clinches. Let's not forget that by round 5 most of them are already tired.

You have no problem with calling Mayweather boring, so whats your point.....

Your trying too tell me that the Holyfield/Bowe, Tua/Ibeabuchi fights were boring.....

[TheGreatA]

Vitali relies greatly on his height and that is why he would have problems with opponents who can reach him. Lewis did it with a wild right hand behind steady pressure, and that was a whole lot older, slower, sloppier and out of shape Lennox Lewis than the Lewis of a few years ago. He does not have textbook skills, more so he maximizes his height advantages with the awkward, unorthodox style he has, evidence of his ring intelligence and creativity.

However the same attributes that work against shorter opponents would lead to difficulties against men of similar height, even if they were not quite as tall as he is. The lack of a traditional defense makes him vulnerable for even the most telegraphed of punches, an overhand right which was Lewis's key weapon against him. His hands are extremely low and he backs up in straight lines, which works against short opponents who can only hope to work his body.

Chris Byrd did show against a young version of Vitali that he can be hit by a clever boxer. Byrd had no power to make an impact on Vitali's proven chin, but he put him at discomfort at times. I know most people discount this fight because of the injury, but it's one of the few times that we have seen Vitali step in the ring against a top heavyweight, aside from Lewis, Sanders and arguably Peter (who I never rated myself). Sanders too stunned Vitali, who did not react too well to being hit at first, but was able to regain his composure and dealt out a steady beating to Sanders who did himself no favours with poor conditioning.

Before making him out to be a near invincible force, you have to look at all the times he fought true top competition and acknowledge that he encountered some difficulties. This does not indicate that he could walk through any of the top competitors in the past.

[JAB5239]

Vitali relies greatly on his height and that is why he would have problems with opponents who can reach him. Lewis did it with a wild right hand behind steady pressure, and that was a whole lot older, slower, sloppier and out of shape Lennox Lewis than the Lewis of a few years ago. He does not have textbook skills, more so he maximizes his height advantages with the awkward, unorthodox style he has, evidence of his ring intelligence and creativity.

However the same attributes that work against shorter opponents would lead to difficulties against men of similar height, even if they were not quite as tall as he is. The lack of a traditional defense makes him vulnerable for even the most telegraphed of punches, an overhand right which was Lewis's key weapon against him. His hands are extremely low and he backs up in straight lines, which works against short opponents who can only hope to work his body.

Chris Byrd did show against a young version of Vitali that he can be hit by a clever boxer. Byrd had no power to make an impact on Vitali's proven chin, but he put him at discomfort at times. I know most people discount this fight because of the injury, but it's one of the few times that we have seen Vitali step in the ring against a top heavyweight, aside from Lewis, Sanders and arguably Peter (who I never rated myself). Sanders too stunned Vitali, who did not react too well to being hit at first, but was able to regain his composure and dealt out a steady beating to Sanders who did himself no favours with poor conditioning.

Before making him out to be a near invincible force, you have to look at all the times he fought true top competition and acknowledge that he encountered some difficulties. This does not indicate that he could walk through any of the top competitors in the past.

Excellent post. I've been saying this for awhile, but thank you for expanding on it.

[BrooklynBomber]

Vitali relies greatly on his height and that is why he would have problems with opponents who can reach him. Lewis did it with a wild right hand behind steady pressure, and that was a whole lot older, slower, sloppier and out of shape Lennox Lewis than the Lewis of a few years ago. He does not have textbook skills, more so he maximizes his height advantages with the awkward, unorthodox style he has, evidence of his ring intelligence and creativity.

However the same attributes that work against shorter opponents would lead to difficulties against men of similar height, even if they were not quite as tall as he is. The lack of a traditional defense makes him vulnerable for even the most telegraphed of punches, an overhand right which was Lewis's key weapon against him. His hands are extremely low and he backs up in straight lines, which works against short opponents who can only hope to work his body.

Chris Byrd did show against a young version of Vitali that he can be hit by a clever boxer. Byrd had no power to make an impact on Vitali's proven chin, but he put him at discomfort at times. I know most people discount this fight because of the injury, but it's one of the few times that we have seen Vitali step in the ring against a top heavyweight, aside from Lewis, Sanders and arguably Peter (who I never rated myself). Sanders too stunned Vitali, who did not react too well to being hit at first, but was able to regain his composure and dealt out a steady beating to Sanders who did himself no favours with poor conditioning.

Before making him out to be a near invincible force, you have to look at all the times he fought true top competition and acknowledge that he encountered some difficulties. This does not indicate that he could walk through any of the top competitors in the past.

Are you hyping up the Big Finn, great A?

[Grinderman]

They're great white boxers from the eastern side of the world.

I hate it that they call them boring but the American HWs from the last couple decades or so were the real boring ones (apart from Tyson). Look at the mega HW fights and count the clinches. Let's not forget that by round 5 most of them are already tired.

Awesome post, nice work! The haters have a microscopic attention to detail when it comes to any flaws, real or perceived, that the K-Bros might have, but are almost blind when it comes to their Afro-American heroes' deficiencies. This is true of people like nostalgic drunk Bert Sugar as well as some of the haters infesting this site.

[joseph5620]

You have no problem with calling Mayweather boring, so whats your point.....

Your trying too tell me that the Holyfield/Bowe, Tua/Ibeabuchi fights were boring.....

Agreed. Prime Holyfield and boring doesn't belong in the same sentence.

[TheGreatA]

Are you hyping up the Big Finn, great A?

As much as I'd like to, I do not see Helenius as the conqueror of the Klitschko brothers. That comes down to skill level. So far, aside from his size and punching power, I have not seen the necessary abilities to exploit potential weaknesses that the Klitschko brothers may have (it is possible that Vitali would adopt an entirely different strategy to face a man of his height).

All I dare to hope from Helenius is that he makes the most out of his ability before fighting for a world title, and puts up a valiant effort win or lose. I hope he is not rushed to a title shot but on the other hand he could lose the chance forever in a single loss.

[iPhoneKiller]

The way Haye was able to move around and make Wlad miss would suggest that Ali for example could make Wlad look very bad.

Anyone who can make Wlad work hard gets him gassed and there's a chance for a KO, particuarly in 15 rounds.

ATG's all have trouble with Vitali in my eyes.

[TheGreatA]

Vitali on paper seems to be the more difficult puzzle to solve, but it's Wladimir who has had the most dominant performances against top ranked fighters.

[BrooklynBomber]

The way Haye was able to move around and make Wlad miss would suggest that Ali for example could make Wlad look very bad.

Anyone who can make Wlad work hard gets him gassed and there's a chance for a KO, particuarly in 15 rounds.

ATG's all have trouble with Vitali in my eyes.

It would only be useful if Haye won rounds like that.
All it showed that being great defensively would lose you a fight against Wlad.