Quote Originally Posted by Lyle
OK first off if Vitali got "stopped by Johnson" it was by the ref and I think Kirk was happy about it judging by how bad he got whupped on.

Vitali was a very good fighter whom obviously had to fight to get big fights...who would want to fight a 6'8 250 pound guy who was very athletic, had a GREAT chin and KO'd all but 1 of the guys he beat....one of the best KO ratios ever...I don't care who you say he fought it was just as good as who Tyson fought before he really stepped it up and Vitali did a better job of knocking them out.

I'm not saying Vitali is THE GREATEST or a GREAT (because he didn't stay at the top long enough) but he was a VERY GOOD heavyweight and his style, size, and power matches up good against ANYONE in the history of the sport!


If I'm in a fight, I want Vitali in my corner
I think we can say more. Henry Cooper was 183 pounds. He knocked down Ali in the 3rd, and the fight was stopped on a cut, poor henry. Vitaly klitschko weighs 250+, 6.8. and has a good defence in his stepping back shoulder up, ready to counter. I just dont think Cooper giving away 70 pounds, would be a match for VK, but he was for ALi. Just an examlpe of the fact that Ali had to work against almost always smaller opponents. If not VK w KO ali then a points win because of the straight jabs.