Holyfield was basically talking about Wladimir. Vitali everyone thinks would be fine in whatever division he was in at whatever time 6'8, a 90 something % KO rate, extremely difficult to hit clean yeah he would have held his own whenever.

As for Wladimir, Holyfield said he made adjustments to be where he is now. Well obviously he did and he fights nothing like how he fought when Sdunek was his trainer. Manny Steward was the perfect trainer for Wladimir he got him to fight tall, utilize the jab more, and we've seen his progress. That said, Wlad wasn't just some bum without Manny, he was easier to hit, loaded up on more punches, tired himself out easier, but he was still a WORLD CHAMPION before Manny took over. It was just once fighters thought they saw a blueprint for beating him Wlad added Manny and they tore up the script. You look at guys who failed to adapt: Mike Tyson for one...he didn't really have success in the latter part of his career (but for really REALLY good match making), Lennox Lewis adapted, Evander adapted, and both those guys had longer careers because of it.


I'm glad you enjoy my posts Slim, you're a very agreeable poster yourself, knowledgeable, funny, and not quick to anger either...here's hoping you stay around here a long time