Wladimir Klitschko vs Francesco Pianeta

[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.

[Vendettos]

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.

2 words.

Evander Holyfield

If its just a stay busy fight, give the old yin a shot lol.

[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.

[The Promoter]

I may be the only one but I like the Wlad vs Pianeta fight for a multiple of reasons:

1. Pianeta's size is equal to Wlad on all fronts, gone will be Wlads overwhelming reach advantage.

2. Pianeta has a nice jab, is it good enough to nullify Wlads probably not, but does propose some difficulty.

3. Pianeta's a a Lefty and Wlad doesn't really like big Lefty's

4. If Wlad is tested how will he react without Manny to keep his head on straight?

I do know that Pianeta has not shown great power and has recently had some lackluster performances but at least this fight presents enough questions to make me want to pay for it....

[Freedom]

I may be the only one but I like the Wlad vs Pianeta fight for a multiple of reasons:

1. Pianeta's size is equal to Wlad on all fronts, gone will be Wlads overwhelming reach advantage.

2. Pianeta has a nice jab, is it good enough to nullify Wlads probably not, but does propose some difficulty.

3. Pianeta's a a Lefty and Wlad doesn't really like big Lefty's

4. If Wlad is tested how will he react without Manny to keep his head on straight?

I do know that Pianeta has not shown great power and has recently had some lackluster performances but at least this fight presents enough questions to make me want to pay for it....

Good post.

Pianeta has never been down either as a pro or as an amateur.

He was world amateur youth heavyweight champion. Francesco is not flashy, but he's sturdy and has good technical skills. I thought he was finished when I heard he had cancer a few years ago, but his treatment was successful. Pianeta is ranked #14 on BoxRec and #12 by the IBO computer. The highest ranked opponent he's defeated was ranked #18 at the time by the IBO computer.

Heavyweight - Top 100 IBO Rankings - International Boxing Organization

Timothy Bradley's next opponent Provodnikov is ranked BoxRec #24 in a lighter weight division than Bradley (he's never fought at 147 before). The highest ranked fighter Provodnikov ever defeated was ranked #58 by the IBO computer! Even though Bradley in contrast to Provodnikov is generally ranked in the top 10 P4P, nobody is complaining about Bradley-Provodnikov.

Why are some people so harshly critical of Klitschkos?