If Wlad kept his exciting style how big would he be in the States today?

[Malik Kaya]

Dont come with this americans dont care about foreign fighter ****, GGG is from a country most americans couldnt point on a map yet he draws higher ratings than p4p no 2 Ward who won a gold medal for his country.

I just went back and rewatched Wlad running through Ray Mercer, that version of Wlad was one of the most exciting fighters the HW has ever seen.

So lets say Wlad wouldve never lost to Sanders and Brewster and kept his exciting high volume punching style, how popular would he be in America today?

[cupocity303]

Not very popular because that version of Wlad had too many weaknesses and if he was unable to adapt and close the gaps, he would be just another contender floating around in the division, losing some and winning some.

A big version of Amir Khan at best.

[bojangles1987]

He would have lost a couple more times if he didn't become the cheating hugger we know and can't stand today.

[The Hammer]

He might have more losses by now.

He didn't even try to hold after he was hurt and knocked down by Sanders, he tried to fight his way out of trouble. That's not the wisest tactic.

And against Purrity and Brewster he was throwing too much for a big man. I thought history might repeat itself against Wach when watching the 8th round, but he learned from the past mistake and took round 9 off after throwing a lot in the 8th.

However, against guys who don't have an iron chin like Purrity and Wach, he should try to get them out early like he did against Austin.

[Drunk Punch]

He would have lost a couple more times if he didn't become the cheating hugger we know and can't stand today.

What he said ^^

Plus maybe the US tv networks might have taken some slight modicum of interest in his fights.

[Malik Kaya]

Not very popular because that version of Wlad had too many weaknesses and if he was unable to adapt and close the gaps, he would be just another contender floating around in the division, losing some and winning some.

A big version of Amir Khan at best.

You have to consider that he still would be fighting in a weak ass era. I dont think guys like Chambers, Byrd, Chagaev would be able to beat any version of Wlad.

This era of Heavyweight contenders is made to make a skilled Champion look like a prime Tyson.

[The Hammer]

You have to consider that he still would be fighting in a weak ass era. I dont think guys like Chambers, Byrd, Chagaev would be able to beat any version of Wlad.

This era of Heavyweight contenders is made to make a skilled Champion look like a prime Tyson.

That's simply not true.

No one else ever stopped Chagaev and Chambers.

Chagaev was never stopped in the amateurs either. He was never even knocked down until he fought Wlad, neither was Chambers. And neither have been knocked down since they fought Wlad.

[Malik Kaya]

That's simply not true.

No one else ever stopped Chagaev and Chambers.

Chagaev was never stopped in the amateurs either. He was never even knocked down until he fought Wlad, neither was Chambers. And neither have been knocked down since they fought Wlad.

Who did they fight before Wlad? Earnie Shavers? George Foreman?
guys like Chagaev and Chambers even getting a title shot is proof that this era freakin sucks

[Mr.Fantastic]

Not much. We would still be bitter and blame it on basketball/football having all our talent.

[RiC-DiC]

Wlad wouldn't be a champ if he fought exciting. Same as Rigondeaux. They need to box safely (boring) to hide their weaknesses.