Will you give Wladimir Klitschko credit if he defeats Tyson Fury?

[BostonGuy]

I'm nervous about this fight. I've followed Wladimir Klitschko for the last 10+ years; he's giving us clarity and consistency in the HW and, although, his fights aren't always entertaining I like that he does his job and wins his fights. In the late 90's/early to mid 2000's, the HW had multiple champions and there was no one fighter who remained consistent. You have one champions win one of belts, lose it, and then regain again. It was a merry-go-around of medicrity.

Wlad has given us clarity and consistency; he is the best and he is the recognized HW champion.

Having prefaced my post with all that, I am nervous. Tyson Fury is not an ordinary run-of-the mill opponent. He's unpredictable. He's also very skilled, is in great shape, is taller and has a longer reach, and has a do or die mentality. This is a type of an opponent that Wlad has never faced. Wlad is also on the lower end of his prime. So, I'm not really sure how this fight will play out.

I could see a scenario where Wlad boxes a safe fight in the early rounds, get's into his rhythm and lines Fury up with a straight right cross and knocks him out. I also could see a scenario where Fury, using his size, reach, skill and bravado to make Wlad uncomfortable and fight a fight that's he's not used to.

Given all these different scenarios that, may or may not play out, this adds some excitement, tension and anticipation for this fight. I want Wlad to win but I also want Wlad to deal with some adversity.

[Weltschmerz]

Vladimir is in a position where he can truly cement his legacy with a win over Fury and a unification during 2016/2017 with Wilder or Povetkin. If he manages this feat, anybody should pay respect. The coming 24 months or so should give us all the answers.

[LacedUp]

I don't know why so many fans incl. Klitschko fans are saying Fury is bad and an easy win etc.

He's not. He's a top heavyweight, a throwback. If you look at other guys Wlad has fought recently:

Pulev. He had a decent jab - That was literally his selling point.

Jennings: Moves well. That was his selling point.

Wach: He's big.

Pianeta: He had cancer.

Leapai: .... I don't think he had any.
Same with Mormeck.

Povetkin & Haye: Both solid champions.

Thompson: "effectively clumsy" are the words he described himself with.

Fury: Southpaw, orhodox. Inside, outside, can brawl & box. Is bigger, has a longer reach (potentially faster too with Wlad being on the older side). Has a good jab, has heart, maybe is a bit chinny but definitely won't quit. Can go rounds like no ones business.

Honestly, Fury for me, and this is true even if he gets flattened in the first round, is all round one of the most dangerous fighters Wlad has ever faced. He has a lot of tools in his locker, his feet aren't planted in cement.

I think Fury will be one of Wlad's absolute top wins. That's just my opinion.

[BostonGuy]

I don't know why so many fans incl. Klitschko fans are saying Fury is bad and an easy win etc.

He's not. He's a top heavyweight, a throwback. If you look at other guys Wlad has fought recently:

Pulev. He had a decent jab - That was literally his selling point.

Jennings: Moves well. That was his selling point.

Wach: He's big.

Pianeta: He had cancer.

Leapai: .... I don't think he had any.
Same with Mormeck.

Povetkin & Haye: Both solid champions.

Thompson: "effectively clumsy" are the words he described himself with.

Fury: Southpaw, orhodox. Inside, outside, can brawl & box. Is bigger, has a longer reach (potentially faster too with Wlad being on the older side). Has a good jab, has heart, maybe is a bit chinny but definitely won't quit. Can go rounds like no ones business.

Honestly, Fury for me, and this is true even if he gets flattened in the first round, is all round one of the most dangerous fighters Wlad has ever faced. He has a lot of tools in his locker, his feet aren't planted in cement.

I think Fury will be one of Wlad's absolute top wins. That's just my opinion.

I agree that Fury is a top fighter, even though he has been matched up pretty carefully in his career. Fury definitely has a lot going for him as you stated and I also think he brings an element of unpredictability and resiliency. He's been in a couple 'fire fights' in his career where he's gotten knocked down but he's always got up fought on and turned those fights around. He has a mental toughness to him and he's also extremely confident. I think these 'intangibles' certainly give him a good chance of upsetting Wlad's rhythmic flow and making this fight interesting.

Of all Wlad's past opponents for the last 10 years, I think Fury is probably the more dangerous, because of all the factors we listed.

[LacedUp]

I agree that Fury is a top fighter, even though he has been matched up pretty carefully in his career. Fury definitely has a lot going for him as you stated and I also think he brings an element of unpredictability and resiliency. He's been in a couple 'fire fights' in his career where he's gotten knocked down but he's always got up fought on and turned those fights around. He has a mental toughness to him and he's also extremely confident. I think these 'intangibles' certainly give him a good chance of upsetting Wlad's rhythmic flow and making this fight interesting.

Of all Wlad's past opponents for the last 10 years, I think Fury is probably the more dangerous, because of all the factors we listed.

I agree.

I think it'll be interesting to see what Wlad plans on doing with Fury. If Fury is the guy to bring out a hyper agressive Wlad who doesn't sit behind the jab, but goes for the KO and gets it, it doesn't mean Fury is any less good than what we thought he was imo. It just means that he was the guy to bring out the best Wlad.

But I definitely think Fury has the tools to make Wlad look a bit sluggish ala Thompson in the early rounds. Whether or not he will is a different story, but I think it'll be a good competitive fight and may the best man win.

[Daddy T]

Yup, it will be a good win. Not the very best on Wlad's resume but defo top 5

[Weltschmerz]

But if Wilder beats Povetkin, a Wilder win would be greater for Vlad.

[LoadedWraps]

Without question. Not going to flip flop like Elroy1. If you are a quality opponent coming in, you are a quality opponent coming out, and vica versa

[The Hammer]

Yup, it will be a good win. Not the very best on Wlad's resume but defo top 5

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[Guest]

Will you give Wladimir Klitschko credit and respect if he defeats Tyson Fury?

Fury is an age 27, undefeated 6'9" heavyweight. He has an 85" wingspan, much of it in his long arms.

Klitschko is approaching his 40th birthday, is 6'6". He has an 81" wingspan, proportionally more of it in his shoulders rather than his shorter 26" arms.

If Wlad beats Fury, will you recognize it as a good win for the aging heavyweight champion?

I would yeah, cos I reckon Fury's the kind of heavyweight that make Wlad look like a spare ***** at an orgy, winning most of the rounds and laughing in Wlad's face with his hands behind his back.