Knock Knock, It's father time at the door. What's next for Wlad - the debate

[PainfromUkraine]

Make no bones about it - styles make fights and all the rest of it, and we have previous experience of Wlad having shall we say, not particularly aesthetically pleasing battles with the likes of Ibragimov and Chambers. Movement frustrates Wlad - that much is clear. Another thing that is clear is that Wlad is reluctant to push the pace or really attack without being literally dragged into that kind of battle or having a human punchbag in front of him.

Was Jennings underrated? Definitely to an extent. He didn't do anything special, but considering his lack of experience, and fairly basic strategy, he acquitted himself well. His movement and athleticism rank him high in the current standard of heavyweights.

Do Wlad's problems stem from physical or mental issues - or perhaps both? As poster DrEisenfaust said in the RBR thread, arrogance or a lack of taking this particular challenge seriously, or being too comfortable, can be the downfall of Wlad. I agree to an extent, but I cannot hide that I believe father time has truly knocked on the door, quite literally. Wlad seems gun shy. He looked uneasy at times tonight, almost worried and clueless at times. Listless. He should not look that way against someone like Bryant Jennings. Almost devoid of ideas.

I'd actually be very worried if in a fight with a Fury or Wilder, Wlad finds himself out of his comfort zone. Although I'd like to believe he will perform far better v tougher perceived threats, and taller guys with less movement, on tonight's performance and Wlad's age and changing priorities, I'm doubting it.

Clinching reared it's ugly head again and I am actually truly intrigued as I can't even imagine what Wlad would do if he was on a last, potential DQ warning and maybe in the middle of a fight. Clinching, although occasionally not his fault, seems to be almost a reflex reaction...

Really, judging also from Wlad's interview, I would be surprised if we see Wlad fight more than 2 or 3 more times, or more than another year.

As a fan, I'd like to think this was a blip caused by underestimating an opponent, but this Wlad is sadly to say as likely to be dethroned as ever v a young hungry fighter with true dangers to Wlad, like Wilder's power or Fury's roughness - something the game but outgunned Jennings just didn't possess.

Thoughts?

Discuss

[Weebler I]

I had him winning 11-1 , not sure why you're concerned?

Fury always had the potential to give him issues on paper, Wilder always had a puncher's chance and Wlad has always risked DQ by holding when fighting abroad.

I didn't hear much from his interview to suggest he was going to retire and I'm not sure he will any time soon.

[PainfromUkraine]

I had him winning 11-1 , not sure why you're concerned?

I think it was closer than that, something like 9-3. I am concerned because this was not the Wlad we expected against a guy whos been boxing for 6 years and has no power or real weapons to trouble Wlad. I was worried for Wlad most of the fight as with a strict ref he may have been DQ'd, and the lack of right hands thrown or even left hooks made me think he was injured.

Only the 12th round was anything like the Wlad I expected...

Cause for concern might not be required now...but this can be a slippery slope to the beginning of the end.

I was honestly the most uneasy I have been while watching a Wlad fight in a long time.

Although I do believe he can bounce back as his fights do kind of switch almost on a 1 fight on/1 off basis of a bad fight followed by a good performance.

[Weebler I]

I think it was closer than that, something like 9-3. I am concerned because this was not the Wlad we expected against a guy whos been boxing for 6 years and has no power or real weapons to trouble Wlad. I was worried for Wlad most of the fight as with a strict ref he may have been DQ'd, and the lack of right hands thrown or even left hooks made me think he was injured.

Only the 12th round was anything like the Wlad I expected...

Cause for concern might not be required now...but this can be a slippery slope to the beginning of the end.

I was honestly the most uneasy I have been while watching a Wlad fight in a long time.

Although I do believe he can bounce back as his fights do kind of switch almost on a 1 fight on/1 off basis of a bad fight followed by a good performance.

Well Jennings had faster hands, faster feet and good head movement.

The combination of those three were enough to make the fight tricky, but I didn't see any decline and he won more than clearly, even if you saw 9-3 that's still a very comfortable margin.

I think it's a styles make fights situation.

[El-blanco]

Jennings was very determined and took zero risks which is why he won maybe three rounds. People are going to look at this fight and say if someone like wilder was in there wlad would have lost, but he fights nothing like Jennings. Jennings' style, and chin, kept him in the fight. Wilder leaves himself out of position and wide open all the time and fury is just a goof and has no chance.

[Tay Roc]

Team up with Memo.

[PainfromUkraine]

Well Jennings had faster hands, faster feet and good head movement.

The combination of those three were enough to make the fight tricky, but I didn't see any decline and he won more than clearly, even if you saw 9-3 that's still a very comfortable margin.

I think it's a styles make fights situation.

Perhaps, but those things you mentioned are not going to win a fight vs Wlad. Pretty much you need to hurt him and tire him out to the body to consistently outland him. If Jennings had power, he could probably have beaten Wlad tonight.

I'm concerned as around 95% of those who thought Wlad would win would do it in style with a KO, and perhaps even an early one. In the end it was an albeit comfortable decision, but one that certainly didn't make Wlad look particularly great tonight.

Hopefully it was though just a bad clash of styles.

[BKM-2010]

Clinching reared it's ugly head again and I am actually truly intrigued as I can't even imagine what Wlad would do if he was on a last, potential DQ warning and maybe in the middle of a fight.

He would have many losses if he didn't get away with it. He has 3 major weaknesses, and without clinching he would be forced to deal with them. Fatique(now more than ever with his added muscles and AGE) lack of heart(still as scared as ever to get hit although he reacts better now than in the past) and the weak chin.

[PainfromUkraine]

He would have many losses if he didn't get away with it. He has 3 major weaknesses, and without clinching he would be forced to deal with them. Fatique(now more than ever with his added muscles and AGE) lack of heart(still as scared as ever to get hit although he reacts better now than in the past) and the weak chin.

Well, fatigue - debatable. I do take that point into account because he seems to slow down at times but for a man of 39 to go 12 rounds and have his best round in the 12th, I don't think fatigue is the main issue. Not in terms of lasting the distance, but quite possibly with pacing and activity rate within rounds.

Chin, sure it's not great, but he's getting hit more and more and doesn't seem to be getting wobbled. It's just a case now of him looking a bit lost and awkward if he does get clipped, because he is used to being the one in control at all times and he is liable to panic in a way.

Heart? I don't think i'd put it down to heart. The guy has determination and doesn't give up, but I think he just doesn't enjoy getting hit. He doesn't have a mentality of a brawler - he is uncomfortable and it angers him to take shots. Hard to say if that is 'heart' or just the fact he might not have a real warrior's instinct, like Vitali had. I think Wlad said it best - he was 'made' into a fighter while Vitali was 'born' as one.

[HanzGruber]

Get kod by wilder and let the hw division thrive again