Would Wlad stick around for Wilder if the latter mows down another 2-3 top contenders

[Ron Swanson]

So here we have a man that through hard word, intelligence and discipline has made himself into the best boxer in the world. I know many will say "but Floyd Mayweather...." But to put Floyd in the same ring you have to use all these magical qualifiers. Nuts and bolts, there is not a man on this planet that Wlad Klitschko isn't favored significantly over right now if they step into a ring.so he is the best.

And boxing fans think it is reasonable to say "yes, this is the best boxer on this planet, his style beats any other man that gets inthe ring, but I don't like how it looks so he should fight different". It's absolutely amazing what a person can convince themself is reasonable.

[palmerq]

He finished Pulev off quick because he was rattled to his toes by the jab in the first round.

I don't agree with this, I think he was more aggresive than usual against pulev due to it being the start of his short hbo contract and he needs to put on a show for the americans to push for the wbc unification as soon as possible, pulev is not a big hitter so he went for him, I think it's the same plan with the jennings fight.. I would guess wladimir wants to take on these lighter punching guys so he can safely go for earlier than usual kos

[Master]

He finished Pulev off quick because he was rattled to his toes by the jab in the first round.

I don't agree with this, I think he was more aggresive than usual against pulev due to it being the start of his short hbo contract and he needs to put on a show for the americans to push for the wbc unification as soon as possible, pulev is not a big hitter so he went for him, I think it's the same plan with the jennings fight.. I would guess wladimir wants to take on these lighter punching guys so he can safely go for earlier than usual kos

Watch the first seconds of the fight and you will see. If Wlad had to stink the fight he would. He had the HBO contract signed, sealed and delivered anyway.

[El Kabong]

Watch the first seconds of the fight and you will see. If Wlad had to stink the fight he would. He had the HBO contract signed, sealed and delivered anyway.

Really? Everyone is saying "Wlad fights scared" and you're saying "Wlad KO'd Pulev early because Pulev hurt him"




Also the HBO deal is for 3 fights, now 2 are left and of course I believe he wanted to impress this time out, he knew he had a guy in front of him that he could take and he did it. ALSO Pulev talked a bunch of shit before the fight and was very disrespectful and you can see Wlad was very pleased with himself that he KO'd him that showing of emotion when Pulev was getting counted out isn't something usually seen from Wlad.

But hey, you guys like who you want to like and hate all you want on Wlad it doesn't change how great of a champion he is.

[Beanflicker]

I don't think he fights scared. To me, "fighting scared" is fighting to survive: to not care about winning, just to stay upright. I would say David Haye and Ibragimov fought scared against Wlad. They were losing the fight, they knew they were losing the fight, yet they refused to take the risks necessary to try to win, they were happy with going the distance.

If you're winning the fight and you're fighting conservatively, that's called fighting smart. Floyd, Wlad, Rigo, Ward, ect don't fight scared, they fight smart.

[Beanflicker]

Watch the first seconds of the fight and you will see. If Wlad had to stink the fight he would. He had the HBO contract signed, sealed and delivered anyway.

I actually do agree with you, I think Wlad probably did get more aggressive because Pulev was landing that jab on him. I guess where we differ is that I don't think that's a bad thing. Isn't it a smart play to be able to say "this guy is bothering me, I better turn the heat up on him and get him out of there quick." The great Mike McCallum did exactly that to Julian Jackson: he planned to box, Julian touched him with his cement hands and really shook McCallum to his core, and McCallum thought "holy shit, I need to take this guy out quick because I've never felt that kind of power before". It's making adjustments of the fly, I don't see why it's a knock on Wlad.

Pulev has a fantastic jab IMO, seeing him land it on Wlad early I really thought it was going to be a close, competitive fight.

[TitoFan]

There's the objective posters, who are willing to discuss some of Wlad's shortcomings, regardless of how successful he's been and how many beds of money he has or how many Hollywood actresses are hanging off his arms.... and then there's Lyle.

Lyle, why do you get so defensive about Wlad? Especially considering that everything is prefaced with: "Yes, he's has a great career, has defended his title numerous times, is articulate and intelligent, is a nice guy, walks on water never mind..... strike that one.

Drop the sarcasm and learn to discuss things civilly, man.

[El Kabong]

I don't think he fights scared. To me, "fighting scared" is fighting to survive: to not care about winning, just to stay upright. I would say David Haye and Ibragimov fought scared against Wlad. They were losing the fight, they knew they were losing the fight, yet they refused to take the risks necessary to try to win, they were happy with going the distance.

If you're winning the fight and you're fighting conservatively, that's called fighting smart. Floyd, Wlad, Rigo, Ward, ect don't fight scared, they fight smart.

You're absolutely right, but you may as well talk to a wall because everyone wants Wlad to go for broke every fight apparently....up 11 rounds to 0....go knock the guy out. Knocking the guy down? Well go KO him right now. 1st round, go for the KO!

Wlad made mistakes in his losses that is why he lost specifically because he made mistakes. He's corrected those and hasn't come close to losing since then. The complaints have increased regardless of the outcomes of his fights which tells me people are just tired of him dominating the division. Wlad went for the kill vs Pulev.....did he get any respect? Did any of the Negative Nancy's out there say "You know, Wlad really ended that fight with an exclamation point for once".....no, they just start talking up the next victim be it Wilder or Fury or whoever. "Will Wlad hang around or retire if he has to fight Wilder"....it's ridiculous. Deontay Wilder is a good fighter, a good up and coming fighter, big power, but we're jumping from the likes of Malik Scott, Jason Gavern, and Nicolai Firtha to Bermane Stiverne to Wladimir Klitschko....that is one extremely steep learning curve for Wilder. Wlad has had about 10 years of fighting THE BEST the division has to offer.

"Wlad's scared, he fights scared"....he's had 66 professional fights the majority of which have been at an ELITE LEVEL and he's "scared" you're morons!

[TitoFan]

Just rewatched the Wlad-Pulev fight and my overriding impression is that Pulev fought like shit. Undefeated?? Hell, no wonder the division is such a pile of shit right now! Pulev was done from Round 1, when he came out with that amateurish stance, wide open and just begging for a right cross or a left hook. Personally, I can't wait for Wlad-Wilder down the road, 'cause I'm sure Wilder will do more than just make Wlad break into a sweat.

[El Kabong]

There's the objective posters, who are willing to discuss some of Wlad's shortcomings, regardless of how successful he's been and how many beds of money he has or how many Hollywood actresses are hanging off his arms.... and then there's Lyle.

Lyle, why do you get so defensive about Wlad? Especially considering that everything is prefaced with: "Yes, he's has a great career, has defended his title numerous times, is articulate and intelligent, is a nice guy, walks on water never mind..... strike that one.

Drop the sarcasm and learn to discuss things civilly, man.

How about you just take some time and understand that Wladimir fought and fought well for a period of time utilizing the tactics you (and the rest of those who dislike him) want him to use. Wlad fought in a crouch, threw numerous punches, and didn't give a shit at all for defense. That's how Wlad fought from the start of his career up to his hiring of Manny Steward.

There were weaknesses in Wlad's game, not so much to where he couldn't be a contender or hold a title, but enough to make it harder for him to have continued success. Wlad now fights in a manner which A) Minimizes damage he takes and B ) Maximizes damage he inflicts.....is "just winning" not enough? He fights in a style that takes his opponent out of the fight early on and frustrates them...instead of complaining about that perhaps as BOXING FANS you should appreciate it.

Not everyone can fight like Tyson, or Frazier, or Foreman and they shouldn't be expected to.

[Beanflicker]

I can't wait for Wlad-Wilder down the road, 'cause I'm sure Wilder will do more than just make Wlad break into a sweat.

I'm excited to see what he can do with his reach. And hopefully he can turn it up on Wlad so we get an exciting fight with a more aggressive Wlad.

To be fair to Pulev, I think that was the idea, to invite Wlad to throw up the middle and try to counter. From what I've seen of Pulev that seems to be more of his style. I think he thought he'd have a lot more success with his jab and could lead Wlad into something. Wlad's just a really hard guy to counter and Pulev probably underestimated the speed. Wlad also turns over a nasty left hook better than any HW I can think of.

Fighting Wlad is tough, you need to sell out and take the risk of eating one of those right crosses or left hooks and waking up on the canvas. Wlad rarely gets hit with the first or second punch, but it's usually that third left/right straight that catches him. I'm not sure what Pulev could have done differently.

[TitoFan]

I can't wait for Wlad-Wilder down the road, 'cause I'm sure Wilder will do more than just make Wlad break into a sweat.

I'm excited to see what he can do with his reach. And hopefully he can turn it up on Wlad so we get an exciting fight with a more aggressive Wlad.

To be fair to Pulev, I think that was the idea, to invite Wlad to throw up the middle and try to counter. From what I've seen of Pulev that seems to be more of his style. I think he thought he'd have a lot more success with his jab and could lead Wlad into something. Wlad's just a really hard guy to counter and Pulev probably underestimated the speed. Wlad also turns over a nasty left hook better than any HW I can think of.

Fighting Wlad is tough, you need to sell out and take the risk of eating one of those right crosses or left hooks and waking up on the canvas. Wlad rarely gets hit with the first or second punch, but it's usually that third left/right straight that catches him. I'm not sure what Pulev could have done differently.

Yeah... Pulev for me didn't have a snowball's chance in hell from the get-go. I'm not second-guessing what he did, but rather disappointed in yet another totally underwhelming opponent for Wlad. I'm hoping Wlad-Wilder materializes, if only for the chance to prove me and all other doubters wrong (or right) about Wlad.

[TitoFan]

There's the objective posters, who are willing to discuss some of Wlad's shortcomings, regardless of how successful he's been and how many beds of money he has or how many Hollywood actresses are hanging off his arms.... and then there's Lyle.

Lyle, why do you get so defensive about Wlad? Especially considering that everything is prefaced with: "Yes, he's has a great career, has defended his title numerous times, is articulate and intelligent, is a nice guy, walks on water never mind..... strike that one.

Drop the sarcasm and learn to discuss things civilly, man.

How about you just take some time and understand that Wladimir fought and fought well for a period of time utilizing the tactics you (and the rest of those who dislike him) want him to use. Wlad fought in a crouch, threw numerous punches, and didn't give a shit at all for defense. That's how Wlad fought from the start of his career up to his hiring of Manny Steward.

There were weaknesses in Wlad's game, not so much to where he couldn't be a contender or hold a title, but enough to make it harder for him to have continued success. Wlad now fights in a manner which A) Minimizes damage he takes and B ) Maximizes damage he inflicts.....is "just winning" not enough? He fights in a style that takes his opponent out of the fight early on and frustrates them...instead of complaining about that perhaps as BOXING FANS you should appreciate it.

Not everyone can fight like Tyson, or Frazier, or Foreman and they shouldn't be expected to.

I don't want Wlad to fight in a crouch, Lyle.
I also don't want him not to give a shit about defense.



Geeez.... this shouldn't be so difficult.




Funny you should mention Foreman. Here's another guy who mostly towered over his opponents, with huge power in both hands, with mostly a straight-up stance, using his height and reach to his advantage. Another guy whose opponents for the most part went into the ring intimidated, looking to survive. Yet he never suffered from the same tag as Wlad, did he. Foreman during his early career did not get tagged that much (though he more than made up for that when he came back). Whatever he did was effective. Nowadays, he is not punch drunk, but an affable, engaging grandfather.

Not a good example to defend Wlad.

[Beanflicker]

Big George was more of a slow mummy for the most part though... Wlad is actually quick!

[Master]

Watch the first seconds of the fight and you will see. If Wlad had to stink the fight he would. He had the HBO contract signed, sealed and delivered anyway.

I actually do agree with you, I think Wlad probably did get more aggressive because Pulev was landing that jab on him. I guess where we differ is that I don't think that's a bad thing. Isn't it a smart play to be able to say "this guy is bothering me, I better turn the heat up on him and get him out of there quick." The great Mike McCallum did exactly that to Julian Jackson: he planned to box, Julian touched him with his cement hands and really shook McCallum to his core, and McCallum thought "holy shit, I need to take this guy out quick because I've never felt that kind of power before". It's making adjustments of the fly, I don't see why it's a knock on Wlad.

Pulev has a fantastic jab IMO, seeing him land it on Wlad early I really thought it was going to be a close, competitive fight.

Although he had a good jab he was very statuesque with his stance and boxing very slow and methodically. Open for that left hook.