Wladimir Klitschko vs Francesco Pianeta

[ninjaspy3]

Man, Haye vs Wlad II would have to be better than this :-D

[ross]

Man, Haye vs Wlad II would have to be better than this :-D

No way...

At least this new "name" is a bit of an unknown and may prove to be tougher than we expect. Haye had his chance and it was so poor I wouldnt even waste my time looking for a stream of it let alone get out the house to watch it somewhere.

[Freedom]

Wladimir Klitschko and his management have had several heavyweights turn down the offer of a voluntary title shot. Sauerland's fighters like Kubrat Pulev and Riobert Helenius were unwilling, or at least their promoter was. Alexander Povetkin has pulled out twice in the past and is always a big risk to do so again, and with purse bids the fight wouldn't happen until July anyway.

Tyson Fury's management said "no" when sent a contract. Odlanier Solis was originally chosen as Wladimir's voluntary opponent, but Don King pulled the plug on it. Others like Fres Oquendo are willing but not really qualified.

Bryant Jennings was willing and might be a better fighter than Francesco Pianeta or about as good, but he's unknown in Europe, so that only made sense if it were on HBO. Wladimir had chosen actually chosen Jennings, but HBO said no, so then they decided to go with Pianeta.

So Pianeta is probably the best of who is willing and available. He's ranked by the sanctioning organizations, he's undefeated at 28-0, and he's a 6'5" natural heavyweight.

The Bradley-Prodovnikov situation is very different. There were many better fighters than Provodnikov available and willing, but Bradley chose someone who has limited skills and athleticism who would make him look very good, and too make it worse, would need to move up from 140 to 147.

So people who bash Wladimir Klitschko for fighting Pianeta yet find Bradley-Prodovnikov acceptable are not being fair and are going by a double standard. Bradley fighting Prodovnikov is like Wlad choosing the BoxRec #23 cruiserweight and asking him to move up for the fight.

Wlad will fight Povetkin in July if Sauerland wants it.

[El Kabong]

Sauerland & Don King kept the titles from being unified for ages. Remember when Valuev vs Chagaev II was set in (Finland of all fucking places ) it was canceled due to Chagaev's Hepatitus & Wladimir was left holding the bag when David Haye's back (Setanta) acted up so being a TRUE Champion Wlad said "I'll fight you Valuev" to which Valuev & Sauerland said "Ummm, yeah we just trained to fight Chagaev, so thanks but no thanks". Wladimir then said "Hey Chagaev, I'll fight you" Ruslan also a top class man (and not being under the thumb of Kalle Sauerland) said "Yeah, that's cool let's do this"

2 top boxers, short notice, had trained for completely different opponents & they risked their careers on this big fight. That is what boxing needs more of, that kind of deal making. Sauerland just wants the Klitschko's to retire and then he can try to shyst his way back to having one of his protected assets hold a trinket title.

Wlad has ducked nobody during his reign as champion, he's been willing to fight anyone....everyone else (bar a few guys) not so much

[bzkfn]

Sauerland & Don King kept the titles from being unified for ages. Remember when Valuev vs Chagaev II was set in (Finland of all fucking places ) it was canceled due to Chagaev's Hepatitus & Wladimir was left holding the bag when David Haye's back (Setanta) acted up so being a TRUE Champion Wlad said "I'll fight you Valuev" to which Valuev & Sauerland said "Ummm, yeah we just trained to fight Chagaev, so thanks but no thanks". Wladimir then said "Hey Chagaev, I'll fight you" Ruslan also a top class man (and not being under the thumb of Kalle Sauerland) said "Yeah, that's cool let's do this"

2 top boxers, short notice, had trained for completely different opponents & they risked their careers on this big fight. That is what boxing needs more of, that kind of deal making. Sauerland just wants the Klitschko's to retire and then he can try to shyst his way back to having one of his protected assets hold a trinket title.

Wlad has ducked nobody during his reign as champion, he's been willing to fight anyone....everyone else (bar a few guys) not so much

I agree with most of what you said here. Look, I'm not complaining Wlad is ducking anybody, it just seems pointless to request a voluntary defence and then pick a completely undeserving opponent. Pick someone young and hungry as oppose to a guy who hid behind an EU belt as an excuse to fight shit opponents and keep an 0 on his record. Pianeta is irrelevent and will never be seen at this level again after this. There are better choices available, I just think Pianeta was chosen as he's cheap rather than worthy. Why the Germans buy into this crap is beyond me.

[Freedom]

Wlad has the right to keep fighting and make a living. People want to see him fight, he's very popular in Germany.

Larry Holmes and Joe Louis had some worse title defenses than Pianeta.

Holmes title fights :

Mike Weaver (41-18 ) (1979)
Ossie Ocasio (23-13) (1979)
David Bey (18-11) (1985)

Joe Louis title fights:

Johnny Paychek (not ranked top 10)
Arturo Godoy
Al McCoy (3-3 in previous 6, not ranked top 10)
Red Burman (not ranked top 10)
Gus Dorazio (not ranked top 10)
Abe Simon (coming off loss to 15-11 Jim Thompson)
Tony Musto (was 2-4 in previous 6, not ranked top 10)

Why is Pianeta's fighting old McCall any worse than Ali fighting age 47 Archie Moore? Or Mike Moorer being KOed by an old Foreman?

Pianeta is:

BoxRec #14
WBO #9
WBA #12
- undefeated 28-0
- 6'5", 240 pounds (no blown up cruiserweight)
- young at age 28 and in his physical prime (no shot old guy)
- active, he fought 4 times in 2012
- a southpaw (more difficult style for the champ)
- a known name in Germany, makes the fight bigger there

Decent opponent for Wlad right now. I'm looking forward to it!

[El Kabong]

Doesn't matter who Wlad fights he'll catch hell for it. People just love to hate the guy....I'm sorry he's not "from tha hood" I'm sorry he's "a clean cut white guy" I'm sorry he's "not American " but everyone hung up on that bullshit can just help themselves to a big ol' bowl of "get the fuck over it!"

[ninjaspy3]

Doesn't matter who Wlad fights he'll catch hell for it. People just love to hate the guy....I'm sorry he's not "from tha hood" I'm sorry he's "a clean cut white guy" I'm sorry he's "not American " but everyone hung up on that bullshit can just help themselves to a big ol' bowl of "get the fuck over it!"

Wlad is a quality fighter and it just disappoints me to see him fight someone with zero chance of competing. Theres no intrigue in this fight.

[beenKOed]

Doesn't matter who Wlad fights he'll catch hell for it. People just love to hate the guy....I'm sorry he's not "from tha hood" I'm sorry he's "a clean cut white guy" I'm sorry he's "not American " but everyone hung up on that bullshit can just help themselves to a big ol' bowl of "get the fuck over it!"

I feel the same way. It seems like everyone blames the Klitschkos for the sorry state the heavyweight division is in.
It is not the Klitschkos fault that there is a lack of quality heavyweights, and I sure don't blame them for taking advantage of the situation as long as they can.

[palmerq]

Wladimir Klitschko and his management have had several heavyweights turn down the offer of a voluntary title shot. Sauerland's fighters like Kubrat Pulev and Riobert Helenius were unwilling, or at least their promoter was. Alexander Povetkin has pulled out twice in the past and is always a big risk to do so again, and with purse bids the fight wouldn't happen until July anyway.

Tyson Fury's management said "no" when sent a contract. Odlanier Solis was originally chosen as Wladimir's voluntary opponent, but Don King pulled the plug on it. Others like Fres Oquendo are willing but not really qualified.

Bryant Jennings was willing and might be a better fighter than Francesco Pianeta or about as good, but he's unknown in Europe, so that only made sense if it were on HBO. Wladimir had chosen actually chosen Jennings, but HBO said no, so then they decided to go with Pianeta.

So Pianeta is probably the best of who is willing and available. He's ranked by the sanctioning organizations, he's undefeated at 28-0, and he's a 6'5" natural heavyweight.

The Bradley-Prodovnikov situation is very different. There were many better fighters than Provodnikov available and willing, but Bradley chose someone who has limited skills and athleticism who would make him look very good, and too make it worse, would need to move up from 140 to 147.

So people who bash Wladimir Klitschko for fighting Pianeta yet find Bradley-Prodovnikov acceptable are not being fair and are going by a double standard. Bradley fighting Prodovnikov is like Wlad choosing the BoxRec #23 cruiserweight and asking him to move up for the fight.

Wlad will fight Povetkin in July if Sauerland wants it.

good post... there just isnt many people out there who make much sense if wlad wants to stay busy before povetkin will finally fight him...

[Gandalf]

Wlad fights rubbish all the time now, but he did duck somebody. He ducked James Toney. He doesn't have Toney on his record and neither does the better brother. The reason is clear. They wanted nothing to do with such an awkward fighter. Jab, jab, jab....ooh a right. Round over. Dull, dull, dull. When David Haye was your 'name' oppenent you knew were pretty mediocre and should scoop deeper into the barrel of emptiness.

[bzkfn]

I am confused here though, Wlad's defenders have said Povetkin doesn't want to fight, but my understanding is they are contesting the decision to grant Wlad a voluntary fight right?

So yes Povetkin ran before, but he isn't running now. Please understand I'm not saying Wlad is ducking Povetkin, because I'm sure it'll happen, but why postpone it for this?

[Freedom]

I am confused here though, Wlad's defenders have said Povetkin doesn't want to fight, but my understanding is they are contesting the decision to grant Wlad a voluntary fight right?

So yes Povetkin ran before, but he isn't running now. Please understand I'm not saying Wlad is ducking Povetkin, because I'm sure it'll happen, but why postpone it for this?

Sauerland and K-2 didn't agree so Povetkin-Klitschko is going to purse bid. So it will be delayed until July anyway.

If K-2 wins the purse bid, Povetkin will pull out again because of the conflicting TV contracts. If Sauerland wins the purse bid, Povetkin will fight Wlad, and it will be televised on ARD not RTL.

Wlad has a contract with RTL guaranteeing them a fight in the spring of 2013, that's why he's fighting Pianeta.

[bzkfn]

I am confused here though, Wlad's defenders have said Povetkin doesn't want to fight, but my understanding is they are contesting the decision to grant Wlad a voluntary fight right?

So yes Povetkin ran before, but he isn't running now. Please understand I'm not saying Wlad is ducking Povetkin, because I'm sure it'll happen, but why postpone it for this?

Sauerland and K-2 didn't agree so Povetkin-Klitschko is going to purse bid. So it will be delayed until July anyway.

If K-2 wins the purse bid, Povetkin will pull out again because of the conflicting TV contracts. If Sauerland wins the purse bid, Povetkin will fight Wlad, and it will be televised on ARD not RTL.

Wlad has a contract with RTL guaranteeing them a fight in the spring of 2013, that's why he's fighting Pianeta.

Thanks, that makes a little more sense. Still could have picked a better opponent though.

[GOAT]

Nuttin but a hypejob in a weak division. Throwback-contender for breakfast please.