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

[dan_cov]

Haha damn...new sport

Introducing the moves the 'grab(imir)' and the 'jab(imir)'.

In all seriousness I can have a laugh and a joke at this expense now and I will give him the benefit of the doubt here but I want Wlad to really think about his future. Subtle warning signs are there, and I'm a die-hard fan but I am rational and objective - I can see that wasn't the Wlad of even several months ago.

I think he has enough in the tank to beat the two tall guys if he is motivated, but he needs to keep his mentality in check and really either ensure he is back to his dominant best or just bow out before he loses.

There is definite warning signs and i refuse to say it was an off-night or/& Jennings is a great fighter which he clearly isn't. Wlad looked old and imo a lot slower than i am used to seeing, he looked mightily gunshy too, normally he opens up around 4, not tonight. I've always felt he he was best vs bigger men but after tonight i think fury and dare i say wilder the big bum both might have a fair shot, something i never thought i'd say. I hope he proves me wrong i still won't pick against him but i feel he is there for the taking.

[El-blanco]

Ok guys, before I go off to sleep...I should say that we shouldn't criticise Wlad too much. I think it will make Lampley choke up the tears again...

Lol ya wtf was that? He teared up discussing vitali? Lol

[daggum]

96 clinches? looks like another dq was missed. what's next? back to germany where they will respect his clinching

[PainfromUkraine]

Lol ya wtf was that? He teared up discussing vitali? Lol

Well with a bit more research it seems old Lamps does like a tearjerk now and then. The old lil bro looking up to big bro now more than ever with Vitali and his political work in such a difficult time seems to set off the floodgates like a mini fire hydrant...probably a delayed reaction also talking about father figures and the unfortunately passed father Klitschko and Manny Steward (RIP both).

[PainfromUkraine]

There is definite warning signs and i refuse to say it was an off-night or/& Jennings is a great fighter which he clearly isn't. Wlad looked old and imo a lot slower than i am used to seeing, he looked mightily gunshy too, normally he opens up around 4, not tonight. I've always felt he he was best vs bigger men but after tonight i think fury and dare i say wilder the big bum both might have a fair shot, something i never thought i'd say. I hope he proves me wrong i still won't pick against him but i feel he is there for the taking.

Yep, I second all that. However I doubt right now anyone has the total package to have enough to dethrone Wlad. AJ seems to be the best bet as the total package but by the time he is ready Wlad will be gone one way or another.

[PainfromUkraine]

Seems that in the post fight press conference Wlad stated his next fight WILL be against Fury in Europe.

Another thing - Jennings, from the fight stats, landed 94/285 power punches while Wlad landed 52/162. That is simply unheard of, I really cannot explain that to be anything else than an injury. I don't think Wlad has ever been outlanded in power punches to this extent (almost doubled), and this really shows how little he threw the right hand especially.

EDIT - actually, thinking back, those Jennings power punches were probably when he was trying to land constant combos as quickly as he could to Wlad's body and shoulders when he was tied up. Take that away and it would be probably even. But for, let's say, 100 clean power punches to have landed for both men combined over 12 rounds...that's a poor fight.

At the same time, Jennings only landed 16 jabs, which he could have made more use of with his longer reach, so it suggests he was just moving and looking for that hail mary punch.

[BostonGuy]

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.

No, in fact, he mentioned fighting his mandatories so I don't think retirement is on his mind. Also, there have been numerous articles in the past month or so, stating that he would like to stick around for a few more years.

[PainfromUkraine]

No, in fact, he mentioned fighting his mandatories so I don't think retirement is on his mind. Also, there have been numerous articles in the past month or so, stating that he would like to stick around for a few more years.

Fury is up next - hopefully he wins that in impressive fashion, which might create demand again for him to come over to the States once more and have the big unification in Vegas with Wilder.

I'm going to give Wlad the benefit of the doubt and put this performance down to a bad clash of styles, but if he continues to look as bad as he did tonight v Fury, I think it's time up.

[BostonGuy]

Last night wasn't Wlad's best performance by any measure, but he got the job done dominating most of the fight with his superior boxing skills and solid defense. I think he was a little nervous and maybe a lil too tentative with his offense but he had a real live opponent in front of him. He was definitely out of his comfort zone for stretches during the fight but I didn't see any glaring holes in game and obvious signs of age. Even without the clinching, he was able to fight almost a complete fight against a determined and very mobile opponent.

What next for Wlad? Well, Tyson Fury - an opponent who I think Wlad will easily knockout. Fury is a huge target for Wlad and he will not be able to employ enough movement to escape Wlad's offense. At least with Jennings, Bryant was very agile, mobile and employed a lot of head and foot movement. Tyson Fury is a huge guy and he will not be able to defend as effectively against Wladimir.

[PainfromUkraine]

Last night wasn't Wlad's best performance by any measure, but he got the job done dominating most of the fight with his superior boxing skills and solid defense. I think he was a little nervous and maybe a lil too tentative with his offense but he had a real live opponent in front of him. He was definitely out of his comfort zone for stretches during the fight but I didn't see any glaring holes in game and obvious signs of age. Even without the clinching, he was able to fight almost a complete fight against a determined and very mobile opponent.

What next for Wlad? Well, Tyson Fury - an opponent who I think Wlad will easily knockout. Fury is a huge target for Wlad and he will not be able to employ enough movement to escape Wlad's offense. At least with Jennings, Bryant was very agile, mobile and employed a lot of head and foot movement. Tyson Fury is a huge guy and he will not be able to defend as effectively against Wladimir.

I agree - Wlad v taller guy should surely be a better spectacle and we will see a knockout either way. I would like Jennings to fight Wilder. That fight would be a very solid challenge for Deontay straight off the bat and would create some buzz in America I assume with two home fighters fighting for a belt...like the old days. And since Jennings want a rematch, let him take that belt off Wilder and then make a unification with Wlad. Works for all parties.