Quote Originally Posted by rjj tszyu View Post
Hmmmm, if Tua and Byrd are classed as his era, shouldn't Lennoz, Tyson and Evander at least get a mention? When Wlad first held the WBO, Lennox was the WBC and IBF (not to mention linear champ too) and Evander was WBA champ. I think that year 2000 Lennox would have all but killed any version of Wladimir. As for Tyson he'd just made Golota quit around about that time too and I think Tyson vs Wlad at that time would have been an interesting fight but one that Mike would end up KO winner in.

Now I know Wlad has improved a shit load since then and I'd actually pick Wlad to beat any version of Tyson NOW, I just think it's a horrible matchup for Tyson.
Very interesting that you've come to my side of thinking about Tyson vs Wlad. I just figure if Buster Douglas a very hit & miss inconsistent fighter could really hand Tyson a boxing lesson and given Tyson's struggles with Tony Tucker (who had a broken hand) & Lennox Lewis who just manhandled Mike, you've got to figure win or lose it's at the very least "not an easy fight for Tyson". The way Wlad fights on the outside ties up on the inside, uses height, reach, weight, and as athletic as he is, it's hard to see Tyson getting to him with more than one punch at a time which he would need to end the fight.


I would rate Lennox Lewis as the top heavyweight in Wlad's era (bar Wlad himself of course), it's a shame they never fought, but who knows how different things could have panned out. Who knows, if Lewis would have lost perhaps he would be like Evander and still be fighting on, trying to redeem himself.

I think Lamon Brewster should be rated higher. He was a very solid durable fighter and had solid power.

Looking at the fighters you've listed it really makes me think about the fights Wlad could have had: Golota, Ruiz, Liakhovich, Evander Holyfield, Oleg Maskaev, Luan Krasniqi, Nicolay Valuev. There could have been some good fights in that group for Wlad.