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I just can't rate Wlad high - I respect the hell out of his longevity, but the guys he's fighting are just average and below average guys.
His offense is predicated on the need to reach for a hold first, throw punches second. He has basic skill sets, coupled with a weak chin. The equalizer for him is that he's so massive.
Factor in the fact that he's huge and that he fights guys below average, he's racking up wins against fringe top 100 dudes in any other era. Oh well, I can't be mad at Wlad for the time era in which he's born, but I can't help but wonder, where'd he be if he had fought in the 70s and 80s.
I don't even think I can think of a career defining win or career defining opponent. I can't think of anyone on his resume that w/o Wlad would be a great champion. They all are just bad. What is his best win? Pulev? Haye? Povetkin? Chambers? Peters? Byrd?
Would any of these guys or those unmentioned be a quality champ in their own right w/o Wlad? Anyways - not trying to throw shade profusely on Wlad, he's a great ambassador to the sport and carries himself with dignity and class and I respect that, I just don't think he's that great
His offense is predicated on the need to reach for a hold first, throw punches second. He has basic skill sets, coupled with a weak chin. The equalizer for him is that he's so massive.
Factor in the fact that he's huge and that he fights guys below average, he's racking up wins against fringe top 100 dudes in any other era. Oh well, I can't be mad at Wlad for the time era in which he's born, but I can't help but wonder, where'd he be if he had fought in the 70s and 80s.
I don't even think I can think of a career defining win or career defining opponent. I can't think of anyone on his resume that w/o Wlad would be a great champion. They all are just bad. What is his best win? Pulev? Haye? Povetkin? Chambers? Peters? Byrd?
Would any of these guys or those unmentioned be a quality champ in their own right w/o Wlad? Anyways - not trying to throw shade profusely on Wlad, he's a great ambassador to the sport and carries himself with dignity and class and I respect that, I just don't think he's that great
Is he effective? Hell yeah, he is. Still his punch/push/clinch style is terrible to watch 
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