And yet another Wlad thread that dabbles in the extremes.
There's arguments on both sides:

Pro-Wlad:
Sans the three KO losses early in his career, he's dispatched everybody they've put in front of him. Is it Wlad's fault the HW division is a bunch of "out-of-shape", "scared-shitless", mediocre bums? He fights whoever they put in front of him. He's never ducked anybody, which in itself is more than other fighters out there today. He has amassed a great record, and he'll end up with HOF numbers by the time he finishes his career. He comes into the ring in good physical shape, which again is something that cannot be said for a good 90% of the blubberbutts out there today. He doesn't talk shit to generate interest in a fight, only to turn around and give a 5% effort (like Haye).

Anti-Wlad:
I don't care what anybody says... he's never been truly tested. There's been no epic fights, with back and forth action, taking as well as dishing out. No one's come to truly fight him. Again... it's not his fault, but he's been only too happy to take advantage of his opponents mediocrity and/or fear. His fights are not aesthetically pleasing to all. Some like his style... but many more don't. He seems to fight down to his opponent's skill level, doing just enough to get the decision, or an ultra-safe knockout.


You see... the thing with Wlad is: I believe has little or no confidence in his ability to take a punch. And he may well be chinny. He's never taken a good punch from a great fighter, and have to fight his way back. The times he was caught early in his career, he never survived the initial KD's. So even at this stage, there's some questions. And his lack of confidence in his chin, makes him fight ultra-safe. Engaging in boring paw-fests like with Sultan. Just the threat of a wayward punch from Sultan was enough to send Wlad into a totally defensive posture, and in the process bore us into a coma. But Sultan was as much, if not more to blame. He was there to try and take the title, something not one of Wlad's opponents seems to remember when they step into that ring.

Sad thing is: time's running out on the window for Wlad to be tested in something even remotely resembling an epic fight. Everyone talks about HW prospects, but they're all too green and a few years away from being good enough to challenge Wlad. And by that time, Wlad will have Father Time as a good reason to bow out.