Who's the best American heavyweight?

[Weltschmerz]

I voted for saggy nips.

This is not the Arreola of today, the guy's lost weight and is fully committed.

[Weltschmerz]

It's a pity America don't have any better to offer at heavyweight. Looks like the crown division belongs to Europe from now on.

[LacedUp]

It's a pity America don't have any better to offer at heavyweight. Looks like the crown division belongs to Europe from now on.

Hopefully Wilder will prove not to be a hype job. America really needs a good HW. Add Joshua to the mix, and a new era has begun.

[New England]

I remember Wlad (in his first fight over 6 rounds) winning every minute of the first ten rounds, then trying too hard to KO him and gassing. The more mature Vitali fought more patiently and easily beat the strong & durable but limited Purrity.

oh do you, now?

well let's erase the L from his record in that case.

[Guest]

No space for Commander Vander?

Even today I'd still think twice.

No call on this? As shot to **** as Evander is, I wouldn't necessarily write him off against any of the above.

[PulpFriction]

It's like trying to choose a turd in a pile of turds.

The best response, the heavyweight division is by far the worst it's ever been.

[The Gambler1981]

No call on this? As shot to **** as Evander is, I wouldn't necessarily write him off against any of the above.

I think he would have issues with the younger, bigger, athletic guys because I don't think he can hang at that level if they play to those strengths.

Against the crafty, less athletic sort he could probably hang.

[New England]

Watch the fight.

It was the then-slender Wlad's first pro fight in Kiev. He was trying to impress the fans by knocking out the muscular Puritty, who outweighed him by 24 pounds.

Wlad put on some muscle after that fight.

Answer me honestly: if Wlad was born in the USA, would you like and respect him more?

i have seen the fight, tunney, and more than once. i wouldn't bring it up if i hadn't.

do you want me to strike the loss from his record because he wanted to impress on the homefront?

you can get knocked out, and it's a W, just so long as you're trying to impress your countrymen?



i like wladimir quite a bit. go through my posts on the man and you'll find that theme showing up in most of the discussion that concerns him. i've told you that, probably between 5-10 times in the last year.

yes, i'd like him more if he were american. i'd identify with his experience that much more. i'd like him even more if he were from my state, and even more if he were from my family.

a dog likes a bone. there's nothing wrong with any of that. that doesn't mean i've got a warped picture of him.


that doesn't mean that because he's not american that he's not one of my favorite fighters, because he is. i appreciate everything that man does. he's a top flight boxer and athlete, an ambassador for the sport, a savvy businessman, and the best HW since lennox lewis. he's an easy hall of famer, and a top 15 HW of all time.


would i respect him more?
no, i wouldn't. his accomplishments in boxing would be the same. that's probably the difference between you and i.

[New England]

I think he would have issues with the younger, bigger, athletic guys because I don't think he can hang at that level if they play to those strengths.

Against the crafty, less athletic sort he could probably hang.

40 year old evander holyfield is still a better athlete than many of the guys in the top 10. at least he shows up with a consistent waistline and weight on the scale.

[The Gambler1981]

40 year old evander holyfield is still a better athlete than many of the guys in the top 10. at least he shows up with a consistent waistline and weight on the scale.

You aren't lying