Quote Originally Posted by Lyle View Post
Fair enough response, but I think Wlad's defense is pretty underrated he's improved a lot. Meanwhile the other guy we're talking about has hands down and tries to be cute, Ruiz touched him a time or two, Barrett knocked him down...he doesn't have the best balance, he can throw wide at times, and his power at heavyweight is NOT 1 punch = lights out power....it's above average but it's not amazing.

Wlad has been caught a time or two but he hasn't been rocked in a long time, I think that's partially due to his improved confidence and better game plan, he has faith in what he does and perhaps that is a reason Chagaev didn't hurt him when he hit him and caught Wlad pretty good at the end of one round and Wlad didn't react in any negative fashion and Ruslan has decent power about average.

I just don't think anyone in the heavyweight division right now can get around Wlad's 1-2 and improved defense and hell most guys that fight him don't even try after a round or two.
He's been fighting guys who don't have the ambition or fitness to execute any form of a gameplan that resembles anything other than survial.