Quote Originally Posted by Beanflicker View Post
Quote Originally Posted by TitoFan View Post
But at the same time IMO he lacks the technical skills that would allow him to fight dangerous punchers without making a stinker of a fight.
I think that's the definition of technical, though. The more technical a guy is, the less action you're going to get. His style of boxing from the outside and tying guys up on the inside has been used all throughout HW history, from Ali and Holmes even going back to Gene Tunney. Ray Robinson did it all the time to strong guys like Lamotta. Can't fault him for being big: the goal of every boxer is to learn how to use his physical and athletic gifts as effectively as possible with technique and strategy. He tailored his style to his body type, just like Tyson's was tailored to his.

When you're not getting hit and you're winning 95% of the rounds you fight, you can't fault the technique.

C'mon Bean... technical doesn't necessarily mean Wlad's style. Lots of fighters, including heavyweights, have exhibited technical skills on defense that result in their not getting hit that much. Foot movement, moving in and out, head movement, leaning back from hooks, blocking shots, using timing and counterpunching, etc, etc, etc. Particularly at the lower weights. Wlad's idea of defense, especially when facing a strong puncher, is to maul, tie up, and lean on these guys throughout the whole fight. Don't tell me you thought the Povetkin fight was a good fight for Wlad (or the fans). Wlad loses fans everytime he has a fight like that.

I'm not saying Wlad has to allow himself to get hit. I'm just saying there's other types of techniques he could use, and probably would use, if he were less afraid of The Big Bang. Which in turn would result in more fan-friendly fights, and probably a larger fan base particularly in the U.S.