Wlad Klitschko, why do you like or dislike him?

[Castillofan]

All the time people are saying how fast Klitschko looks, but then you see him and he seems more ponderous. He's not even as fluid in his movement as Lewis was. Lewis had skill but he was no fluid mover. I think the hype is there and obviously needed to draw but you have to look with your own eyes and determine whether a fighter like Wladimir is what they say he is.

A lot of people who are part time boxing fans come online and believe what they read. My advice in forming opinions on fighters is to watch them. Don't believe what everyone else says, because you'll look like an ass when they're proven wrong, as they've probably just read all the press releases and websites.

[Kid Achilles]

Tell me another heavyweight that size with similar handspeed. They don't exist. True his footspeed is nothing to write home about, which is what you are getting at with the ponderous comment. I'm talking just hands here. Wlad is the most quick handed lean 250 pounder I've ever seen.

[GunStar]

I dislike him because of his childish nut-hugging fans, I personally think Wlad is a good guy, but I don't like him as a fighter. He's to soft and don't seem to have a heart of a champion like his brother did.

I always liked his brother and I have 10 times more respect for Vitali then I do for Wlad.

[j]

well, since this topic has been brought up, i'll give my opinion.

first - what i don't like:

- he is a bit too timid sometimes, especially after the sanders fight. then again, he may be overcoming that judging by the way he broke byrd when sensing that byrd was out on his feet.

- doesn't combine offence and defence as well as he could. if he gets more comfortable in the ring, hopefully he will counter a bit more in the future. he sure has the speed to.

- his mental composure has seemed questionable at times. if he regains confidence without arrogance, he can overcome this as well.

- smoother work in clinches. actually, in his last fight with chris byrd he was great with using quick tactical holds lasting merely a second or two. hope he keeps the good work up.

now, what i like in wladimir klitschko:

- the best offencive arsenal in the heavyweight division. the best jab, left hook, and straight right. needs a bit more work on uppercuts and working on the inside, but it looks like it's coming together - rembering how he put pressure on byrd and worked extremely well on the inside with a smaller guy. that's not the easiest thing to do with someone as quick and as good upper body movement as byrd.

- as much heart as a fighter can have. remembering the sanders fight, he took a beating and repeatedly got back up on his feet. also the fight with peter, wladimir getting hit with mean rabbit punches to the back of the head but never gave up or even showed a hint of quitting. on top of that, not even complaining about it - which he rightfully should have.

- the classiest fighter in the heavyweight division. nobody has more class. how many boxers always find something good to say about their opponents? even when the opponents are talking mad ****.

- self promotion. he doesn't follow the orders of a don king, goossen, etc. in other words, he's not a puppet.

- goal is to unify and fight nothing but top fighters. shannon briggs may not be the highest ranked fighter, but he is more dangerous to any boxer than say, kevin mcbride or monte barrett.

and my mum told me when I was little, 'Never trust a man who takes naked pictures holding his also naked brother'

really? what were you doing to make your mum tell you that?

[Kimmy]

I dislike him because of his childish nut-hugging fans, I personally think Wlad is a good guy, but I don't like him as a fighter. He's to soft and don't seem to have a heart of a champion like his brother did.

I always liked his brother and I have 10 times more respect for Vitali then I do for Wlad.

True. I think Wlad's heart under fire is questionable. When hurt he falls apart and someone that size and at his level of fighting should find ways to cope under pressure. Its a mental aspect that he is lacking and he will, and has, suffered for it in recent performances.

[Castillofan]

Tell me another heavyweight that size with similar handspeed. They don't exist. True his footspeed is nothing to write home about, which is what you are getting at with the ponderous comment. I'm talking just hands here. Wlad is the most quick handed lean 250 pounder I've ever seen.

True enough.

Maybe we're on the threshold of a new era spawned by people like Lewis and Klitschko in that big fighters coming up will not just rely on size, but will have the size and try to incorporate the movement and work on the speed. If fighters start to take that kind of initiative, we may start to see the situation improve.

[GunStar]

True. I think Wlad's heart under fire is questionable. When hurt he falls apart and someone that size and at his level of fighting should find ways to cope under pressure. Its a mental aspect that he is lacking and he will, and has, suffered for it in recent performances.

Well said my friend!

[TheEvilSaint]

hes big, hes strong, hes versatile, and he knocks people out. thats what i like about him. if he only had a better chin, he would probly be my 2nd fav fighter.

[beez721]

True. I think Wlad's heart under fire is questionable. When hurt he falls apart and someone that size and at his level of fighting should find ways to cope under pressure. Its a mental aspect that he is lacking and he will, and has, suffered for it in recent performances.

I agree. thats his big problem

[Super Cruiserweight]

He's The Best Hw Clearly Right Now, As His Brother Was A Few Yrs Back......but Damn The Klits Are Just Boring, Boring...