Comments Thread For: Wladimir Klitschko Ready To Explore Fights on The Road

[cupocity303]

Pulev is the obvious fight but you will naturally have drunkards saying he "ducked" Tyson Fury, Deontay wilder and other big slow hobos.

With the numbers Wlad is putting up on German TV and filling their stadiums I'm not sure why he would want to come to the US and fight inferior competition while the commentators call him "Russian" and say he has a little brother who's also supposed to be good. The options are probably mainly European.

It's probably a good thing if there is a perception that he is "ducking" a certain fighter. Wlad is so blend and uncontroversial having faced everyone during his Title reign (Mandatory challengers, Unification bouts against other Title Holders [Haye, Ibragimov], undefeated young fighters [Povetkin, Wach, Pianeta], tall fighters [Pianeta 6'5, Wach 6'7, Thompson 6'5], smaller but skilled technicians [Eddie Chambers, Chris Byrd], and his prime BIG FIGHT nemesis [David Haye].).

And all of this seems to be taken for granted. So why not "duck" Pulev a bit and let it build up. Duck the mouth-breather suffering from Gigantism named Tyson Fury. That's the only thing that will make them appear better once they're on his win column -- by building up a perception that you're avoiding them.

[joe strong]

I was thinking the same thing. Why leave Germany when you're filling stadiums and banking money?

that stadium was not close to being filled for leapai. they had the lights shining down in a bowl shape. it was half empty. I said before the fight he would be better of fighting in Australia. a stadium would have been filled down under for a chance an aussie could win the title for the first time in over 100 years or something like that. easy money for wlad but instead he fought at home & i'd like to see a link with the attendance figures. it didn't look anywhere near full... no wonder he is talking about fighting on the road...

[Brassangel]

His earlier days were a bit shaky, but since becoming a legitimate champ, few in history have been so dominant. Say what you will about depth of competition, but he can only fight the guys available to him. He isn't just winning: he's absolutely dominating. He's knocking guys out when he's got them hurt instead of just settling for slow-poke decisions (*cough*FLOYD*cough*).

He's technically sound, a physical specimen with power, stamina, and skill, and is a throwback to the golden days in terms of performing like a dominant champ should.

When he hangs them up, I hope he gets his due and is recognized among the great heavyweights of all-time. In a head-to-head match against anyone in history, there isn't a guy he wouldn't be a problem for. Maybe a body attacking Tyson, or a fit Lewis? Ali wouldn't be able to reach him, and certainly couldn't hurt him, and Wlad does everything Holmes did only better. Frazier would get clobbered, and Foreman would be simply too slow.

[TLC8]

Wladamir Klitschko versus Bernard Hopkins; My Money Is On BHop!

Sound crazy???? Ask Hopkins what he thinks. Ask Wladamir what he thinks.

[Ravens Fan]

hmmm no challengers yeah that's why you've fought 1 guy in the top 10 and you should have been dq'd ya cheating bum. keep bribing the belt orgs for easy fights like leapai.

Wlad has fought 18 times in the past ten years and 12 of those opponents were in the Rings top ten. How many fighters can make that claim? I am not sure but I bet it would be a short list.

[yoz]

that stadium was not close to being filled for leapai. they had the lights shining down in a bowl shape. it was half empty. I said before the fight he would be better of fighting in Australia. a stadium would have been filled down under for a chance an aussie could win the title for the first time in over 100 years or something like that. easy money for wlad but instead he fought at home & i'd like to see a link with the attendance figures. it didn't look anywhere near full... no wonder he is talking about fighting on the road...

Even if that was the case, Wlad has a multi-million pound deal with broadcasters in Germany. Why fight in Australia, in a 'full stadium', for less money? Scheduling must come in to play.

[Pharlapz]

Wladimir is the best heavyweights after Ali in boxing history. He should be given more credit than he gets. He truly is am amazing athlete and fighter

Yes, he is an amazing physical specimen and athlete but I've always believed he lacks the mental toughness (and chin) to be mentioned in the same sentence with Muhammad Ali. Just off the top of my head, here are four post prime Ali fighters that stop him: 70's George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitchko.

[The Hammer]

that stadium was not close to being filled for leapai. they had the lights shining down in a bowl shape. it was half empty. I said before the fight he would be better of fighting in Australia. a stadium would have been filled down under for a chance an aussie could win the title for the first time in over 100 years or something like that. easy money for wlad but instead he fought at home & i'd like to see a link with the attendance figures. it didn't look anywhere near full... no wonder he is talking about fighting on the road...

You're don't have a clue what you're talking about. The venue was sold out three weeks before the fight.

https://www.twitter.com/danrafaelespn

Dan Rafael @danrafaelespn
Klitschko-Leapai was a soldout arena about 3 weeks before the fight. And did 9M viewers on free German network RTL.

Dan Rafael @danrafaelespn
When Klitschko pulls those kind of numbers on German TV AND sells out arenas and stadiums why should he fight elsewhere?

Dan Rafael @danrafaelespn
German TV audience for Klitschko-Leapai was reportedly almost 9M. To compare, most viewers for US TV fight in '13 was about 1.5M for HBO show.

[SN!PER]

Three problems with this article.

1. Lucas Browne is mentioned.
2. Shannon Briggs is mentioned.
3. Deontay Wilder is NOT mentioned.

[Money Shot]

All in, world title fights he is W23(18 KO's) L2


And not one MD or SD that littered Larry Holmes career. Those are impressive stats when you factor in the last loss was over 10 years ago.