Quote Originally Posted by Lyle View Post
#1 All the stuff you mentioned about Sam Peter is erroneous as it happened AFTER Wladimir beat him. And yes Wladimir coming off of 2 losses DOES mean something as the psychological state he was in wasn't the best, people said at that point in time "if Wlad loses again he should retire" by beating Sam Peter, Wladimir re-staked his claim as the heir apparent and hasn't lost since.

#2 That's all fine and dandy that you think it might be more exciting to watch what ammounts to Toughman competitions, but you said "I struggle to see a huge void left to fill if Klitschko retired" and then you said there were other fighters who were "good enough" to do what Wlad has done....well which is it? Is it going to be Toughman Competitions or is there someone out there who can dominate the division the way Wlad has What you are suggesting ammounts to boxing blasphemy, it's like someone who drinks Aristocrat Vodka dissing Grey Goose, Stolichnaya, or even Absolute. You want to watch fat out of shape untalented heavyweights be my guest, go to the nearest National Guard Armory and watch to you heart's content....I would rather see SKILL and yes Wlad has skill. You say he needs better competition, it's not Wladimir's job to get his opponent in shape....Wlad is a serious fighter and he takes the game as seriously as Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield or any other great champions and that's why he is where he is right now.

#3 Champions fight less...FACT. Tyson used to fight once a month, but as champion he didn't have to, you only fight that often if you're A) Joe Louis and you KO people with such ease it doesn't matter how often you fight or B) you're building a career. Sure Wladimir COULD fight once a month but after a couple months who would be left Wlad is letting guys like Eddie Chambers develop and get ready for a title fight, that needs to happen, guys need to #1 EARN title shots and #2 Be prepared for title shots. Wlad still fights twice a year for the most part, that's decent...he could have fought more this year but the issues with David Haye kept him from doing so. Be realistic man.

#4 Who do you suggest Wladimir fight You have just ignorantly dismissed the entire division, but that's ok it's a common argument used by haters like you. As for waiting for someone to come along and threaten Wlad.....you can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which gets filled up first


....end rant
Oh so before Wlad beat Sam Peter, Peter was a boxing prodigy with speed, unheralded boxing ability, ring generalship, swift footwork and unmatched conditioning because he never had an ounce of fat on him. The media jumped on the Peter band wagon because he was a big man that punched big and they hyped him. He was still never more thana nigerian later bloated staged David Tua at best. Wlad brought his psychological baggage with him, it wasn't inflicted on him.. unless you believe the water bottle theory.

The toughman scenario easily replaces the entertainment value that Wlad provides as far as a spectacle in the heavyweight division is was what I aluded to. As far as skill wise. Is it really that hard for you to imagine it being plausible that one of these bums actually becoming the best of the worst. Eddie Chambers could probably be that tomorrow because he's the only one who doesn't fight like a damn robot. Look at the lot of them. They're such a vicious crew, intimidating and skillful that it would be impossible for anyone other than the mightly Vlad to pull of a victory. Could Chambers beat them as easy and Wlad? No, probably not. Is it conceivable that he realises the opportunity to run the table for an easy meal ticket if he just shows up every fight (twice a year you said) and tries hard? Yes, very possible. Why else is every damn heavyweight (and a yapping cruiser) this side of brain damage (and some not--Riddick) pondering comebacks or thinking they can get into the heavyweight picture?

So Wlads good enough to fight once a month, but decides not to out of his concern for the heavyweight division and natural order of things. How considerate? I agree Titles shots need to be earned. In fact, I think we should make it mandatory that every heavyweight contender should come up from cruiser and fight 1 heavyweight fight against Monte Barret before they are put up for a title shot against super skilled Wlad.

Who do I suggest he fight? He's so skilled fight them all! Obliterate them all in 3 rounds or less. Make it apparent that he can't be challenged or beaten and feed the fires that he could have done well against some all time greats. I'm not a Wlad hater, i'm just unconvinced of his skills. I was a Lennox hater, but forced to give him his due and grew an appreciation for him. Was he a beast? no not really but he did make himself greater than he was by taking out the green guys early and mixing it up against Holyfield when he had to. He knew when he could brawl, and when to stay away. Wlad fights one way because he can't fight another way (right now)... He walks and picks from the outside or he winds up face down. I give him credit for knowing better than to take stupid risks, but the risks arent coming to him right now... and for me he's going through the motions. The stature of an athlete, without the heart or mind of a fighter.

Alright.. a better way to go about this would be to tell the skills I think hes missing:

- Head Movement - Slip some punches, instead of leaning back /away and tying his oppenents up.

- Better Footwork- Stop pushing your opponents, and step and pivot away.

- Angles- Put those steelhammers to work by creating opportunities to lay into one of these guys.

- Use the ring - corner your opponent and rip into him.

He faster, stronger and in better shape than many of his opponents and should be using all the skills that he's physically capable of to assert some kind of dominance over his opponents. He jabs, holds, shoves and then fires straight ahead combinations or single shots because he hasn't had to use much more than that with his current crop of contenders. Hes physically capable of being a better more skillful fighter, but he hasnt pushed himself. or maybe noone else has pushed him.