Quote Originally Posted by TitoFan View Post
Wlad hasn't been truly tested. I mean rea-a-a-a-a-ally tested. He suffered two early KO's, where he developed a rap for a glass chin, and after that..... nothing. Boxers come in pawing, hiding.... just looking not to get KTFO'ed. As I've said before, something most great fighters have in common is the EPIC fight. Ali has his Frazier. Leonard had his Hearns. Who does Wlad have? Who has pushed Wlad to the limit? Where he's had to show resourcefulness and dig down a little deep? What are Wlad's memorable fights?

I'm sorry... I truly respect your opinion. But when you say their competition wasn't "so horrible".... that's where we kinda disagree. Some have come in with a bit of fanfare, then have truly disappointed. It's maddening. For the Klitschko's sake, I hope someone comes along soon that will take the brothers to a whole new level. THEN they can take their place among history's HW top 10 p4p.
OK Point #1 When Wlad was considered "done" after shock losses to long time underacheivers Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewsterand when he even had trouble and was knocked down vs DaVaryl Williamson what did he do? He went after the most dangerous heavyweight in the division at the time. Sam Peter didn't come in pawing and hiding he came after Wlad those are FACTS. What slowed Sam Peter down was Wlad's power and when Wlad was hurt he did the right thing and tied up. But You cannot tell me Wlad didn't test himself with the best opponent out there or that he wasn't tested during that fight.

Point #2 After the Corrie Sanders and (more importantly the) Lamon Brewster fights people said "The best way to beat Wlad is to pour the pressure on him" and it was only after the first Sam Peter fight and the Chris Byrd rematch when fighters started to second guess that idea as those two were beaten senseless.

Point #3 Wlad has earned a reputation for being "boring" because he held vs Sam Peter (which won him the fight and helped him regain much needed confidence), he held vs Sultan Ibragimov (the first dangerous southpaw he fought since Sanders and really Sultan initiated a lot of those clenches and was only trying to survive), and because he didn't step on the gas vs Chagaev to end the fight sooner. I've been telling anyone that will listen that Manny Steward had the same issues with Lennox Lewis that he now has with Wladimir and it's mainly a problem of perception. Right now Manny and Wlad know they are head and shoulders above the rest of the division and although Sam Peter took a massive beating in the rematch you (well I saw) saw Wlad throw power punches sooner, throw combinations, and go for a knockout. I think Wlad will continue this and will become an exciting fighter though his competition will not give a solid effort vs him and that my friend is the real trouble.