Quote Originally Posted by Lyle
I don't know if Vitali wins vs Prime Foreman ...he has a better shot vs Prime Holyfield

Yes Vitali was a lot bigger, yes his defense wasn't GREAT but he was awkward and hard to hit clean even if his defense sucked.

I don't want to go into size too terribly much because I still think Rocky Marciano beats Mike Tyson but if you look at the size difference between those two and the size different between Vitali and Foreman, Ali, Frazier, etc it's a lot greater.


That being said, if you asked Vitali this question he would probably say he would lose both fights
Vitali's defence was great. Looking at a selection of his fights (not necessarily his hardest fight w Lewis), you will see that a reason that he has never ever been down is that he doesnt get hit much because:
a) He steps back when the opponent is settled to throw
b) He does so with his chin against his left shoulder, with his right ready to counter
c) He pushes the opponent away
d) He moves his feet with smart movements not allowing the opponent the time to aim
e) the jab was as much a defence move as it obscured the vision of the opponent and often he held it out just to keep the opponent at a range where he could hit him

This is great defence. Watch Foreman in his prime and you see a much less elusive target.