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Who the fuck?
Wladimir Klitschko to Fight Francesco Pianeta on May 4 | Who is this Guy?
I'm sure I'm like all you educated boxing obsessives, we know pretty much every heavyweight of note.
I'm sorry but if I haven't heard of a heavyweight then he should not be fighting for a world title, especially when the champion has FOUR.
Maybe it's me, is this a top, top fighter that just slipped through my sights?
Pianeta is an Italian who has fought most of his fights in Germany. I've seen his fights with Matt Skelton, Albert Sosnowski & Scott Gammer. He struggled big time with Sosnowski who he fought to a draw with. He is average, really nothing special at all and I give him zero chance of beating Wlad. This will not be close.
How can he and the WBA justify this defence instead of Povetkin? Why postpone the Povetkin fight for this. It makes no sense requesting a voluntary defence against a guy like this. Beating an old Oliver McCall and an old Frans Botha does not qualify as World title contender.
I've researched him and as good as his record is, I am not impressed.Quote:
Originally Posted by bzkfn
Absolutely disgusting choice of opponent.
The alphabets of world titles are allowing these fighters to get away with murder with their choices.
It's almost like they want Wlad to keep the belts. Should make the mandatory possible fights for him a top 7 fighter minimum.
It's an outrage.
Someone will be along shortly to justify this pathetic choice of an opponent.
Why not fight a malik scott or deontay wilder or even a tyson fury?
There names should be in the bag if this guys name is.
Should be an easy 60th win.
Who? Why ???
If he keeps this up Wlad should just retire.
"Why postpone the Povetkin fight for this?"
Well #1 Povetkin has been given multiple opportunities to fight Wlad #2 Sauerland in Povetkin's promoter....you might remember them from keeping Valuev from fighting Wladimir (or anyone of note for that matter) not so long ago
I'm not impressed with this fight, but who is there to fight? Tony Thompson for a 3rd time??? Tyson Fury already has a fight scheduled as do: Arreola, Stiverne, Solis, Glazakov & Scott just fought.
I don't see how this fight will end any differently than any of Wlad's most recent title defenses. Pianetta is big & a southpaw, and has decent handspeed but I'm doubtful of his ability to handle Wlad's power. Wladimir by KO in 3-5.
Malik Scott just fought, Deontay Wilder isn't even CLOSE to fighting contenders much less for the championship, & Tyson Fury already has a bout scheduled vs Steve CunninghamQuote:
Originally Posted by imp
Man, Haye vs Wlad II would have to be better than this :-D
No way...Quote:
Originally Posted by ninjaspy3
At least this new "name" is a bit of an unknown and may prove to be tougher than we expect. Haye had his chance and it was so poor I wouldnt even waste my time looking for a stream of it let alone get out the house to watch it somewhere.:p
Wladimir Klitschko and his management have had several heavyweights turn down the offer of a voluntary title shot. Sauerland's fighters like Kubrat Pulev and Riobert Helenius were unwilling, or at least their promoter was. Alexander Povetkin has pulled out twice in the past and is always a big risk to do so again, and with purse bids the fight wouldn't happen until July anyway.
Tyson Fury's management said "no" when sent a contract. Odlanier Solis was originally chosen as Wladimir's voluntary opponent, but Don King pulled the plug on it. Others like Fres Oquendo are willing but not really qualified.
Bryant Jennings was willing and might be a better fighter than Francesco Pianeta or about as good, but he's unknown in Europe, so that only made sense if it were on HBO. Wladimir had chosen actually chosen Jennings, but HBO said no, so then they decided to go with Pianeta.
So Pianeta is probably the best of who is willing and available. He's ranked by the sanctioning organizations, he's undefeated at 28-0, and he's a 6'5" natural heavyweight.
The Bradley-Prodovnikov situation is very different. There were many better fighters than Provodnikov available and willing, but Bradley chose someone who has limited skills and athleticism who would make him look very good, and too make it worse, would need to move up from 140 to 147.
So people who bash Wladimir Klitschko for fighting Pianeta yet find Bradley-Prodovnikov acceptable are not being fair and are going by a double standard. Bradley fighting Prodovnikov is like Wlad choosing the BoxRec #23 cruiserweight and asking him to move up for the fight.
Wlad will fight Povetkin in July if Sauerland wants it.
Sauerland & Don King kept the titles from being unified for ages. Remember when Valuev vs Chagaev II was set in (Finland of all fucking places :shakehead: ) it was canceled due to Chagaev's Hepatitus & Wladimir was left holding the bag when David Haye's back (Setanta) acted up :vd: so being a TRUE Champion Wlad said "I'll fight you Valuev" to which Valuev & Sauerland said "Ummm, yeah we just trained to fight Chagaev, so thanks but no thanks". Wladimir then said "Hey Chagaev, I'll fight you" Ruslan also a top class man (and not being under the thumb of Kalle Sauerland) said "Yeah, that's cool let's do this"
2 top boxers, short notice, had trained for completely different opponents & they risked their careers on this big fight. That is what boxing needs more of, that kind of deal making. Sauerland just wants the Klitschko's to retire and then he can try to shyst his way back to having one of his protected assets hold a trinket title.
Wlad has ducked nobody during his reign as champion, he's been willing to fight anyone....everyone else (bar a few guys) not so much
Few of us, in the US, had heard of Joe Calzaghe until he spanked Lacy, so I'm not going to talk about how undeserving Pianeta is until after I see him fight.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vendettos
I'll be surprised if he wins, but I've been surprised more times than I can remember when it comes to fights.
I don't give two shits who gets a title shot vs Wladimir I really don't think he'll have much trouble with anyone...HOWEVER as a fan the very least I want out of a contender is for them to show some fucking heart. Show you belong in the ring with the champ, show some respect by stepping your game up and making Wlad earn his wins. That's the LEAST a fighter should do.Quote:
Originally Posted by beenKOed
Buster Douglas didn't look like a great of a challenge when he fought Tyson, nor Rahman when he fought Lewis.
I agree with most of what you said here. Look, I'm not complaining Wlad is ducking anybody, it just seems pointless to request a voluntary defence and then pick a completely undeserving opponent. Pick someone young and hungry as oppose to a guy who hid behind an EU belt as an excuse to fight shit opponents and keep an 0 on his record. Pianeta is irrelevent and will never be seen at this level again after this. There are better choices available, I just think Pianeta was chosen as he's cheap rather than worthy. Why the Germans buy into this crap is beyond me.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Kabong
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom
good post... there just isnt many people out there who make much sense if wlad wants to stay busy before povetkin will finally fight him...
Wlad fights rubbish all the time now, but he did duck somebody. He ducked James Toney. He doesn't have Toney on his record and neither does the better brother. The reason is clear. They wanted nothing to do with such an awkward fighter. Jab, jab, jab....ooh a right. Round over. Dull, dull, dull. When David Haye was your 'name' oppenent you knew were pretty mediocre and should scoop deeper into the barrel of emptiness.
I am confused here though, Wlad's defenders have said Povetkin doesn't want to fight, but my understanding is they are contesting the decision to grant Wlad a voluntary fight right?
So yes Povetkin ran before, but he isn't running now. Please understand I'm not saying Wlad is ducking Povetkin, because I'm sure it'll happen, but why postpone it for this?
Nuttin but a hypejob in a weak division. Throwback-contender for breakfast please.
Pianeta or Pinata?;D
Slim pickings for Wlad. At least its not Fres.
Sauerland and K-2 didn't agree so Povetkin-Klitschko is going to purse bid. So it will be delayed until July anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by bzkfn
If K-2 wins the purse bid, Povetkin will pull out again because of the conflicting TV contracts. If Sauerland wins the purse bid, Povetkin will fight Wlad, and it will be televised on ARD not RTL.
Wlad has a contract with RTL guaranteeing them a fight in the spring of 2013, that's why he's fighting Pianeta.
Thanks, that makes a little more sense. Still could have picked a better opponent though.Quote:
Originally Posted by FreedomSauerland and K-2 didn't agree so Povetkin-Klitschko is going to purse bid. So it will be delayed until July anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by bzkfn
If K-2 wins the purse bid, Povetkin will pull out again because of the conflicting TV contracts. If Sauerland wins the purse bid, Povetkin will fight Wlad, and it will be televised on ARD not RTL.
Wlad has a contract with RTL guaranteeing them a fight in the spring of 2013, that's why he's fighting Pianeta.
The road to the Heavyweight world Championship should not go through a 44 yr old Frans Botha and a 47 yr old Oliver f'kn McCall. It just shouldn't. Thats everything that is wrong with the division. Its a laughing stock. If there is seemingly no 'viable' challenge at the moment...take a Holiday or go on a hiking trip. But ffs don't just make one up for the sake of running up the numbers. You don't go into a heavyweight title fight saying 'Well anything can happen, maybe he can fight some and he'll get lucky'. At the very least make it non title.
Wlad has the right to keep fighting and make a living. People want to see him fight, he's very popular in Germany.
Larry Holmes and Joe Louis had some worse title defenses than Pianeta.
Holmes title fights :
Mike Weaver (41-18 ) (1979)
Ossie Ocasio (23-13) (1979)
David Bey (18-11) (1985)
Joe Louis title fights:
Johnny Paychek (not ranked top 10)
Arturo Godoy
Al McCoy (3-3 in previous 6, not ranked top 10)
Red Burman (not ranked top 10)
Gus Dorazio (not ranked top 10)
Abe Simon (coming off loss to 15-11 Jim Thompson)
Tony Musto (was 2-4 in previous 6, not ranked top 10)
Why is Pianeta's fighting old McCall any worse than Ali fighting age 47 Archie Moore? Or Mike Moorer being KOed by an old Foreman?
Pianeta is:
BoxRec #14
WBO #9
WBA #12
- undefeated 28-0
- 6'5", 240 pounds (no blown up cruiserweight)
- young at age 28 and in his physical prime (no shot old guy)
- active, he fought 4 times in 2012
- a southpaw (more difficult style for the champ)
- a known name in Germany, makes the fight bigger there
Decent opponent for Wlad right now. I'm looking forward to it!
Doesn't matter who Wlad fights he'll catch hell for it. People just love to hate the guy....I'm sorry he's not "from tha hood" I'm sorry he's "a clean cut white guy" I'm sorry he's "not American " but everyone hung up on that bullshit can just help themselves to a big ol' bowl of "get the fuck over it!"
Wlad is a quality fighter and it just disappoints me to see him fight someone with zero chance of competing. Theres no intrigue in this fight.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Kabong
2 words.Quote:
Originally Posted by ninjaspy3Wlad is a quality fighter and it just disappoints me to see him fight someone with zero chance of competing. Theres no intrigue in this fight.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Kabong
Evander Holyfield
If its just a stay busy fight, give the old yin a shot lol.
I feel the same way. It seems like everyone blames the Klitschkos for the sorry state the heavyweight division is in.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Kabong
It is not the Klitschkos fault that there is a lack of quality heavyweights, and I sure don't blame them for taking advantage of the situation as long as they can.
I may be the only one but I like the Wlad vs Pianeta fight for a multiple of reasons:
1. Pianeta's size is equal to Wlad on all fronts, gone will be Wlads overwhelming reach advantage.
2. Pianeta has a nice jab, is it good enough to nullify Wlads probably not, but does propose some difficulty.
3. Pianeta's a a Lefty and Wlad doesn't really like big Lefty's ;)
4. If Wlad is tested how will he react without Manny to keep his head on straight?
I do know that Pianeta has not shown great power and has recently had some lackluster performances but at least this fight presents enough questions to make me want to pay for it....
Good post.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Promoter
Pianeta has never been down either as a pro or as an amateur.
He was world amateur youth heavyweight champion. Francesco is not flashy, but he's sturdy and has good technical skills. I thought he was finished when I heard he had cancer a few years ago, but his treatment was successful. Pianeta is ranked #14 on BoxRec and #12 by the IBO computer. The highest ranked opponent he's defeated was ranked #18 at the time by the IBO computer.
Heavyweight - Top 100 IBO Rankings - International Boxing Organization
Timothy Bradley's next opponent Provodnikov is ranked BoxRec #24 in a lighter weight division than Bradley (he's never fought at 147 before). The highest ranked fighter Provodnikov ever defeated was ranked #58 by the IBO computer! Even though Bradley in contrast to Provodnikov is generally ranked in the top 10 P4P, nobody is complaining about Bradley-Provodnikov.
Why are some people so harshly critical of Klitschkos?