Will ONE frigging HW step up to the plate before it's too late?!?

[TysonBomb]

To be fair to Wlad, it must suck that he's going to be taking on a young 6'5'', 250lb 28-0 southpaw and people are talking about it like he's going to fight Dustin Diamond.

Who knows how many of the so-called contenders listed above either turned him down or are already scheduled to fight other people.

Who knows, maybe this kid will show us something.

It happens to all champions in their day, some more than others. I can't help but think if Wlad was American or British he'd be emensely popular. The guy has dated actresses, he's a doctor, he's politically aware & active, he's a charismatic guy (yeah I'm sure I'll take heat for saying that but those things are true), he's not the typical muscle head athlete....in America if we had a heavyweight champion like that ESPN would be wetting themselves with excitement covering him asking questions like "When will he run for President?" and "Could he beat Ali?" you must understand once ESPN gets their hooks onto something like that there's no telling how far down the rabbit hole they are willing to go (see Tim Tebow, Manti Teo, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Danica Patrick, et al).

People don't like Wlad's style of fighting, fine to each their own, I understand completely, I'm picky about the fighters I like too. But to drone on and on and on about a boxer who was completely different in style, upbringing, ability, physical size, etc it just doesn't make any sense....you want Wlad who isn't as strong in the chin department as other fighters to fight toe to toe, you want him to fight in a crouch, to take all his mental and physical advantages & experience and just brush it aside and be a brawler.....you wouldn't ask that of any other person in any other sport. You wouldn't tell Leo Messi to play CB, you wouldn't tell Andre Johnson to play linebacker, you wouldn't have Lebron James play Center, you wouldn't have Sidney Crosby play goalie....those guys are all extremely talented and they probably COULD play those positions, but their Gatural abilities and strengths make them best suited for playing where they currently play. You don't ask Floyd Mayweather to fight like Marvin Hagler and you shouldn't be asking Wlad to fight like Tyson...Wlad fights how he is comfortable, it's up to the opponent to break him out of that comfort zone and either the opponents aren't able or willing to do that.

lmao

Was Holmes popular? He was American and nobody cared ... he was relatively obscure compared to past heavyweight champions. Wlad has a nonsense doctorate in "Sports Science." I'm not slamming any doctorate degree (I've come to realize that they're all rigorous ever since I started med school) but its meaningless.

I do agree that Wlad being non American or non British makes him less popular but the point is that he literally fights scared. Freaking cruiserweights have this guy shitting himself ... I mean, how many times did he clinch a senile and decrepit Mormeck?? And if IIRC, he clinched Sam Peter nearly 100 times in their first fight.

[El Kabong]

lmao

Was Holmes popular? He was American and nobody cared ... he was relatively obscure compared to past heavyweight champions. Wlad has a nonsense doctorate in "Sports Science." I'm not slamming any doctorate degree (I've come to realize that they're all rigorous ever since I started med school) but its meaningless.

I do agree that Wlad being non American or non British makes him less popular but the point is that he literally fights scared. Freaking cruiserweights have this guy shitting himself ... I mean, how many times did he clinch a senile and decrepit Mormeck?? And if IIRC, he clinched Sam Peter nearly 100 times in their first fight.

Larry Holmes was popular enough I'd say, sure he was "the guy after Ali" so I'm certain nobody allowed him to forget that. But the guy was well known, people followed his career, went to his fights, and yeah he (like Wladimir) had a division devoid of true threats.

You say "Wlad fights scared"....if he was "scared" he wouldn't be in the ring to begin with now would he? Wlad likes to avoid getting hit in the head and he fights accordingly. Perhaps David Price should follow suit...also it'll catch up with Tyson Fury soon enough as well. These heavyweights are bigger than they have ever been, they're fast, they're athletic, and it probably doesn't tickle if you get punched in the face by one.

As for the clinching, Wlad has longer arms than most of his opponents and therefore it benefits him to not be in so close. Also Wlad is bigger and uses his size to wear down on a fighter. Tyson used his size to his advantage as well...you don't see anyone bitching about that? Well why didn't Tyson ever fight from the outside? He always had to get in so close before punching, rabble rabble rabble!!!!

[Rantcatrat]

In my opinion, they are saving Wilder for the post-Klitschko era. He has the chance to be a mega star in the US. So, they'll have him hone his craft fighting below average fighters for a while. No rush.

The truth is that there is no one out there that would be a good challenge for Wladimir. Povetkin is the best fight to make, but it's not like he's on a different level compared with the other guys in the division.

Assuming the Povetkin fight can't be made, out of the available guys, Wladimir should face the Arreola/Stiverne winner, Kubrat Pulev, Malik Scott, and Tyson Fury (assuming he beats Cunningham).

[Beanflicker]

Was Holmes popular? He was American and nobody cared ... he was relatively obscure compared to past heavyweight champions. Wlad has a nonsense doctorate in "Sports Science." I'm not slamming any doctorate degree (I've come to realize that they're all rigorous ever since I started med school) but its meaningless.

I do agree that Wlad being non American or non British makes him less popular but the point is that he literally fights scared. Freaking cruiserweights have this guy shitting himself ... I mean, how many times did he clinch a senile and decrepit Mormeck?? And if IIRC, he clinched Sam Peter nearly 100 times in their first fight.

Well Kabong said Wlad would be popular if he was American because he is...

1) Charismatic
2) Educated
3) Involved romantically with mainstream celebrities
4) Politically aware and active

How does Holmes fall into any of these catagories? He was an obnoxious blowhard with the charisma of a dinner plate, who loved to toot his own horn whenever he could. People hated him already for whipping Ali and disrespecting Marciano. He was also a grade 7 dropout.

[Beanflicker]

This "fighting scared" stuff is rediculously stupid. Watch the David Haye fight: he took the center of the ring and he was the one moving forward pretty much the whole fight.

[Spicoli]

I've stopped waiting for Wlad to lose and just wanting quailty heavyweight match ups. They are there. If you look at a rung or two under Wlad its very active with some potential for division and the fact Wlad can completely dictate who-what he fights and makes money hand over fists in his comfort zone he'll retire before he takes on some of these 'perceived' threats who are just beginning to sort each other out.

[TitoFan]

I've stopped waiting for Wlad to lose and just wanting quailty heavyweight match ups. They are there. If you look at a rung or two under Wlad its very active with some potential for division and the fact Wlad can completely dictate who-what he fights and makes money hand over fists in his comfort zone he'll retire before he takes on some of these 'perceived' threats who are just beginning to sort each other out.

I agree. The problem with these "threats" is that they are either a) being brought along too slowly (a.k.a. - Wilder), b) they keep stumbling over themselves on the way to a possible title shot (Mitchell, Price), or c) they fight once a year, if that much. At this rate, Wlad will retire without a serious challenge. It's frustrating, because people will point to the Sam Peter fights.... but in all seriousness Wlad has never had that epic fight that would push him completely over the top.

[El Kabong]

I agree. The problem with these "threats" is that they are either a) being brought along too slowly (a.k.a. - Wilder), b) they keep stumbling over themselves on the way to a possible title shot (Mitchell, Price), or c) they fight once a year, if that much. At this rate, Wlad will retire without a serious challenge. It's frustrating, because people will point to the Sam Peter fights.... but in all seriousness Wlad has never had that epic fight that would push him completely over the top.

Is that Wlad's fault or someone elses?

Wlad is the ultimate professional, the dude shows up to fight in amazing shape, mentally & psychologically prepared, and much like another heavyweight his opponents are pretty much beaten before they step in the ring. The guy GAINS weight for fights, that's how dedicated of a champion he is...regardless of anything else, that dedication to be 100% ALL IN with the fight game is impressive.

[TitoFan]

I agree. The problem with these "threats" is that they are either a) being brought along too slowly (a.k.a. - Wilder), b) they keep stumbling over themselves on the way to a possible title shot (Mitchell, Price), or c) they fight once a year, if that much. At this rate, Wlad will retire without a serious challenge. It's frustrating, because people will point to the Sam Peter fights.... but in all seriousness Wlad has never had that epic fight that would push him completely over the top.

Is that Wlad's fault or someone elses?

Wlad is the ultimate professional, the dude shows up to fight in amazing shape, mentally & psychologically prepared, and much like another heavyweight his opponents are pretty much beaten before they step in the ring. The guy GAINS weight for fights, that's how dedicated of a champion he is...regardless of anything else, that dedication to be 100% ALL IN with the fight game is impressive.

The straight forward answer is that it's not Wlad's fault, until the day he ducks a real challenger. But given the state of the division now and for the past several years, no real challenger has emerged, and Wlad hasn't been perceived of ducking anyone (nor does he need to). Wlad's conditioning for fights is something to be praised, especially when one sees the tubs of lard that pass themselves off as heavyweights nowadays.

[TitoFan]

This..... is what passes for heavyweight division news nowadays (copied it off the heavyweight schedule thread).

Lucas Browne vs. James "Lights Out" Toney is in the works. Browne says there's a "80-90% chance" of the fight happening.

Lucas Browne has James Toney and David Price in his sights | Boxing News Online

Nothing else need be said......

[TysonBomb]

Was Holmes popular? He was American and nobody cared ... he was relatively obscure compared to past heavyweight champions. Wlad has a nonsense doctorate in "Sports Science." I'm not slamming any doctorate degree (I've come to realize that they're all rigorous ever since I started med school) but its meaningless.

I do agree that Wlad being non American or non British makes him less popular but the point is that he literally fights scared. Freaking cruiserweights have this guy shitting himself ... I mean, how many times did he clinch a senile and decrepit Mormeck?? And if IIRC, he clinched Sam Peter nearly 100 times in their first fight.

Well Kabong said Wlad would be popular if he was American because he is...

1) Charismatic
2) Educated
3) Involved romantically with mainstream celebrities
4) Politically aware and active

How does Holmes fall into any of these catagories? He was an obnoxious blowhard with the charisma of a dinner plate, who loved to toot his own horn whenever he could. People hated him already for whipping Ali and disrespecting Marciano. He was also a grade 7 dropout.

Trust me, if Wlad was from the US or UK, his popularity wouldn't be as high up there as you think.

Also, what charisma? I don't sense any of that from him ... although I will submit to the second two points. And its Vitali who is more involved in politics than Wlad, he just lost an election for mayor of Kiev IIRC.

The point is that he doesn't entertain in the ring ... he's dead scared of anything coming close to his chin and will never let his hands go or exchange with his opponent. He's robotic and stiff. The way he fights doesn't seem natural ... he's literally like a programmed machine who rehearses what he was taught. He doesn't have boxing instinct.

He would be more popular in America, but only due to his dominance and his terrible chin. But he wouldn't be a household name and he would probably be less popular globally, unless you mean he would be Ukranian American.

[Spicoli]

This..... is what passes for heavyweight division news nowadays (copied it off the heavyweight schedule thread).

Lucas Browne vs. James "Lights Out" Toney is in the works. Browne says there's a "80-90% chance" of the fight happening.

Lucas Browne has James Toney and David Price in his sights | Boxing News Online

Nothing else need be said......

How though? The same guy hoping for a fight with Toney now aka a faded fat slob who throws out his back getting off the sofa to make sure his pizza rolls don't burn also said he basically isn't ready for Price who was just ko'd ? Its only the name of Toney that draws flies attention to this one.

[El Kabong]

Trust me, if Wlad was from the US or UK, his popularity wouldn't be as high up there as you think.

Also, what charisma? I don't sense any of that from him ... although I will submit to the second two points. And its Vitali who is more involved in politics than Wlad, he just lost an election for mayor of Kiev IIRC.

The point is that he doesn't entertain in the ring ... he's dead scared of anything coming close to his chin and will never let his hands go or exchange with his opponent. He's robotic and stiff. The way he fights doesn't seem natural ... he's literally like a programmed machine who rehearses what he was taught. He doesn't have boxing instinct.

He would be more popular in America, but only due to his dominance and his terrible chin. But he wouldn't be a household name and he would probably be less popular globally, unless you mean he would be Ukranian American.

....ummm he's a dominant heavyweight champion who doesn't beat or rape women. He has a vocabulary higher than that of a 3rd grader. He was a model for Hugo Boss. When I say he's "politically aware & active" I don't mean he's running for office, I mean he has some causes he supports UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for one.

What Charisma?!?!? He's a funny dude, he makes fun of himself, other people, he's an affable fellow...he's one of the few boxers that the average person would be like "Yeah, I wouldn't mind grabbing a beer with that guy"


Oh but I suppose Mike Tyson & Ike Ibeabuchi were just AWESOME to be around


Plus if you knew how apeshit the American media went over Gerry Cooney & Tommy Morrison then PERHAPS you'd get a bit of an idea about what they would do for a boxer who is actually good

[TysonBomb]

Trust me, if Wlad was from the US or UK, his popularity wouldn't be as high up there as you think.

Also, what charisma? I don't sense any of that from him ... although I will submit to the second two points. And its Vitali who is more involved in politics than Wlad, he just lost an election for mayor of Kiev IIRC.

The point is that he doesn't entertain in the ring ... he's dead scared of anything coming close to his chin and will never let his hands go or exchange with his opponent. He's robotic and stiff. The way he fights doesn't seem natural ... he's literally like a programmed machine who rehearses what he was taught. He doesn't have boxing instinct.

He would be more popular in America, but only due to his dominance and his terrible chin. But he wouldn't be a household name and he would probably be less popular globally, unless you mean he would be Ukranian American.

....ummm he's a dominant heavyweight champion who doesn't beat or rape women. He has a vocabulary higher than that of a 3rd grader. He was a model for Hugo Boss. When I say he's "politically aware & active" I don't mean he's running for office, I mean he has some causes he supports UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for one.

What Charisma?!?!? He's a funny dude, he makes fun of himself, other people, he's an affable fellow...he's one of the few boxers that the average person would be like "Yeah, I wouldn't mind grabbing a beer with that guy"


Oh but I suppose Mike Tyson & Ike Ibeabuchi were just AWESOME to be around


Plus if you knew how apeshit the American media went over Gerry Cooney & Tommy Morrison then PERHAPS you'd get a bit of an idea about what they would do for a boxer who is actually good

3rd grade vocabulary? Are you serious??

Tyson has a better vocabulary than any of the kitturds, if you've heard him speak (when serious) you would notice that. I'd venture to say he had a more extensive and broad vocab than any boxer ever. I'd also say that he probably has more pure boxing knowledge than anyone around, especially in regards to the history of the sport.

And you're reaching for shit now with Wlad supporting UNESCO. UNESCO isn't a political organization, its an educational agency. It has nothing to do with politics at all, despite the fact that it is funded by the UN, and Wlad supporting it doesn't mean shit ... theres a bunch of athletes and famous people involved in stuff like that. Wlad supporting an educational, anthropological agency funded by the UN doesn't make him involved in politics at all ... or education, or even anthropology.

He's probably a cool dude but I could care less if he was a model or not ... its his performance in the ring that is lacking.

[Beanflicker]

Tyson has a better vocabulary than any of the kitturds, if you've heard him speak (when serious) you would notice that. I'd venture to say he had a more extensive and broad vocab than any boxer ever.

Yeah, Mike was a regular silver-tongued politician.

"I want to kill people. I want to rip their stomachs out and eat their children"

"I'm 36 going on 36"

"I guess I'm gonna fade into Bolivian"

HAHAHAHAHAH fuckin Mike what a goof