Yes or No.
Explain why or why not.
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Yes or No.
Explain why or why not.
Yes, wlad has said he wants that WBC belt more than anything. He also has no plans to retire yet and he's still fit and healthy. He's also looking at beating Joe Louis record. So I don't expect him to go anyway. The only two people who have a chance realistically against him right now are fury or wilder.
I'll start it off.
I voted "no". If Wilder mows down the likes of Fury, and maybe an Arreola... and does it in super-impressive fashion.... I think Wlad develops a case of the yips and decides to retire. He's had a long career.... he's done everything there is to do in boxing.... he wants to join his brother in politics..... yadda-yadda-yadda.
Oops, sorry Tam..... beat me to the punch.
I don't think what Wilder does will influence Wlad one iota. Why would it ? Like Tam said he has stated that he wants to unify and while Wilder has that belt then that is the fight he will seek. You can call Wlad a lot of things but a bottler is not one of them. I f Wilder beats Fury then it would be no great shock. Below Wlad there is a big chasm
and then everyone else. Don't really understand your thinking on this one.
beautiful post ... Wlad has fought enough and is not young anymore. He dont need to risk no title to fight a young Lion.Quote:
Originally Posted by TitoFan
He'll stick around for him. In the last 10 years of Wlad's reign he has taken on all comers, big and small. I think it's unfair to claim he would be afraid and dodge a challenge, because he hasn't really given us any reason to believe he would bitch out like that. He's fought a lot of dangerous guys at the top of their game, I don't think he'd duck Wilder.
Nah, Wilder himself has wisely stated that his belt doesn't mean anything until he beats "the" champion. Unless he was being exceptionally humble I'd have more questions about him if he waited 3 fights...a year plus...before sitting on Wlads front porch and getting in his face.
No, Wlad will not duck a Wilder ;D
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenbeanz
Elementary, my dear Watson.
Wlad has fought mostly a procession of mediocre, underachieving opponents.... who in all actuality have posed little threat to him. Povetkin was probably the lone exception as of late, and we all saw how Wlad treated Povetkin (aided by the generous ref).
If Wilder were to wipe out (emphasis on the wiping out part) Fury and another opponent, such as Arreola, who among the riff-raff are two of the more respectable opponents out there..... it would go a long way toward cementing Wilder's status as not just another hard hitting bum, but as a real threat to Wlad and his chin. Remember, Wilder's got the height and reach to match Wlad.
Wlad is already in what we'd call the twilight of his career. It's been a long, victory-filled career. So the thinking is... "Why chance it?" Why tempt fate for one more reach for the gold ring?
I think he'll stay. The guy is a rock. I was really down on him after the pov fight, it was almost disrespectful to boxing but I got over that and really appreciate the guy. I don't think he'll walk away if Wilder continues his winning ways. Perhaps this is more wishful thinking on my part as I would love to see the two fight. I'd love to see Wilder become the champ but Wlad knows how to win fights, even if it's a bit ugly in the process. An American heavyweight champ might give boxing a shot in the arm in the US.
I'm starting to get the feeling you're not keen on the big guyQuote:
Originally Posted by TitoFanQuote:
Originally Posted by Greenbeanz
Elementary, my dear Watson.
Wlad has fought mostly a procession of mediocre, underachieving opponents.... who in all actuality have posed little threat to him. Povetkin was probably the lone exception as of late, and we all saw how Wlad treated Povetkin (aided by the generous ref).
If Wilder were to wipe out (emphasis on the wiping out part) Fury and another opponent, such as Arreola, who among the riff-raff are two of the more respectable opponents out there..... it would go a long way toward cementing Wilder's status as not just another hard hitting bum, but as a real threat to Wlad and his chin. Remember, Wilder's got the height and reach to match Wlad.
Wlad is already in what we'd call the twilight of his career. It's been a long, victory-filled career. So the thinking is... "Why chance it?" Why tempt fate for one more reach for the gold ring?
There is absolutely no reason to question Wlad
After Wlad and Wilder's next fights they should fight... Wlad does not have to wait and should not have to wait.
If Wladimir was afraid of losing/getting knocked out, then he would have retired after the Brewster loss instead of going after the most dangerous power punching heavyweight on the rise at the time (Sam Peter). No Deontay Wilder is not anything like Sam Peter style wise, but he's young, he's on the rise, he's got big power, and he's undefeated.....much like a lot of the guys on Wlad's record already.
If it makes you feel better to HOPE for Wlad to retire that's fine, but he will unify, he will fight Wilder, and Wlad will win by KO...I don't need a crystal ball to know that will happen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BeanflickerI'm starting to get the feeling you're not keen on the big guyQuote:
Originally Posted by TitoFanQuote:
Originally Posted by Greenbeanz
Elementary, my dear Watson.
Wlad has fought mostly a procession of mediocre, underachieving opponents.... who in all actuality have posed little threat to him. Povetkin was probably the lone exception as of late, and we all saw how Wlad treated Povetkin (aided by the generous ref).
If Wilder were to wipe out (emphasis on the wiping out part) Fury and another opponent, such as Arreola, who among the riff-raff are two of the more respectable opponents out there..... it would go a long way toward cementing Wilder's status as not just another hard hitting bum, but as a real threat to Wlad and his chin. Remember, Wilder's got the height and reach to match Wlad.
Wlad is already in what we'd call the twilight of his career. It's been a long, victory-filled career. So the thinking is... "Why chance it?" Why tempt fate for one more reach for the gold ring?
I give him his just dues. He's big, strong, athletic. He always keeps himself in shape, which in itself is a great accomplishment nowadays (I'm not much into big, blubbery heavyweights with man boobs). He's fought everyone they've put in front of him (not exactly his fault that the term "everyone" here includes a bunch of bums), and as far as I know he's never ducked anyone. He's an intelligent, well-spoken, articulate fighter... an excellent ambassador to the sport. (Again, I'd much rather hear Wlad speak, than the slurring Bowe or Toney). That's a lot of just dues, ain't it?
Howeverrrrr...........
What I've always held against Wlad is what a lot of fans hold against him, even if they don't voice it. Ever since the early knockout losses in his career, Wlad has completely adopted a style of fighting which emphasizes (and only emphasizes) protecting his chin above everything else. Before the chorus of "the point of boxing is to be hit without getting hit" begins..... let me point out that the whole premise of boxing is to actually engage the other guy and try to knock him out. If not, let's change the name of the game to shadowboxing and see who does it better in the ring. Protecting your chin can be your first priority. But when it becomes your ONLY priority, that's when many fans lose interest.
Wlad has had enough stinkers in his career that to me, it demonstrates that he'll use whatever means necessary to avoid getting his chin grazed. This includes pawing for 12 rounds, clutching, mauling, leaning on his opponents, fouling..... whatever. If it makes for an insufferable spectacle, so be it.
His opponents haven't helped the cause, either. Before Wlad, EVERY heavyweight champion you can imagine was taken into deep waters once or twice by an opponent wanting to fight and win.... not just to share a ring with the champion for 12 or 15 rounds. ..... and the champion has risen to the challenge, and put his stamp on his career. Yeah... so-and-so went down and was in trouble several times, but came back to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. We fans love our classic, epic battles. How many epic battles has Wlad been in?
Maybe if he hadn't suffered those embarrassing losses early in his career we would've seen a different Wlad throughout the years. A more exciting, engaging Wlad. His fanbase is pretty big now... but imagine how much more popular he would've been in the States. .... and to those who'll say Stateside fans won't get behind a European champion, think again. If I remember correctly, Lennox Lewis drew a lot more interest in the States than does Wlad. Lennox was a great champion, even though he too suffered a couple of KO losses. What did he do? He came back, better than before. ..... AND.... he came back to avenge his KO losses. Lennox didn't become a gun-shy, reluctant-to-engage champion, right?
So no.... although I give Wlad his just dues.... I'm not really that keen on the big guy.