Vitali to make comeback?

[Kev]

If I never had seen Vitaly fight, after reading this thread, I'd think he had the technical skills of Holmes, and the punch of Shavers.

Vitaly never impressed me. His claim to fame was a gutsy performance against an aging out of shape Lewis. A fight he lost. His following fights were against nothing formidable.

It may make the division more interesting, but his brother would beat him like a drum. Its also a fight we'll never see.

I agree completely. He's a modern day Henry Cooper whose claim to fame is a gutsy loss to a great heavyweight, who wasn't properly prepared and was in the twilight of his career.

He is nothing like Henry Cooper.The guys he fought were so much tougher than the guys Cooper fought.Vitali went 195-15 with 80 ko's in the amateurs and 35-2 with 34 ko's in the pro's.Cooper went 40-14 with 27 ko's against complete nobodies.Cooper wasn't even competative in his fight with Ali, Ali toyed with him, at no point was Lewis toying with Vitali, it was a back and forth fight with Vitali winning the majority of the rounds.To say Lewis wasn't prepared is a cop out.

Have you even watched the Cooper Ali fights? First they fought twice, not once as you seem to think and secondly Cooper virtually knocked Ali out. He was saved by the bell, and then by the quick thinking of his trainer Angelo Dundee who made a fuss about the stitching coming undone on Ali's gloves buying him another precious minute. Without that he would have knocked out for sure.

Klitschko never came anywhere near as that to knocking out Lewis.

[Punisher136]

If I never had seen Vitaly fight, after reading this thread, I'd think he had the technical skills of Holmes, and the punch of Shavers.

Vitaly never impressed me. His claim to fame was a gutsy performance against an aging out of shape Lewis. A fight he lost. His following fights were against nothing formidable.

It may make the division more interesting, but his brother would beat him like a drum. Its also a fight we'll never see.

I agree completely. He's a modern day Henry Cooper whose claim to fame is a gutsy loss to a great heavyweight, who wasn't properly prepared and was in the twilight of his career.

He is nothing like Henry Cooper.The guys he fought were so much tougher than the guys Cooper fought.Vitali went 195-15 with 80 ko's in the amateurs and 35-2 with 34 ko's in the pro's.Cooper went 40-14 with 27 ko's against complete nobodies.Cooper wasn't even competative in his fight with Ali, Ali toyed with him, at no point was Lewis toying with Vitali, it was a back and forth fight with Vitali winning the majority of the rounds.To say Lewis wasn't prepared is a cop out.

Have you even watched the Cooper Ali fights? First they fought twice, not once as you seem to think and secondly Cooper virtually knocked Ali out. He was saved by the bell, and then by the quick thinking of his trainer Angelo Dundee who made a fuss about the stitching coming undone on Ali's gloves buying him another precious minute. Without that he would have knocked out for sure.

Klitschko never came anywhere near as that to knocking out Lewis.

Cooper knocked ali down but almost out!? I don't think so.

[El Kabong]

I don't think he's total garbage, I just don't think he's an ATG. If he comes back fully healed he'll be the best fighter in the division hands down and i don't think anyone will argue with that.

He's not an all-time great because his prime was so short.

He did however, make the best of the time he had at the top...if he does return I think he can achieve greatness. To do this he'll need to win a title or two and defend it some more. If Vitali has 5-8 more fights and does as he normally does win by KO then YES he's most definently an all-time great (providing he fights and beats the right people)

Nicolay Valuev
Sam Peter
Shannon Briggs
Ruslan Chagaev
Oleg Maskaev (they have amateur history together so it would be like Tyson-Henry Tillman)

Really some other heavyweights will need to prove themselves to help Vitali out in his goal of being great. A rematch with Lennox Lewis really wouldn't do much for me right now but if he was able to avenge the loss that's good and fighting Chris Byrd and avenging that loss would also be good, it would put him in the company of Riddick Bowe.

[ICB]

If I never had seen Vitaly fight, after reading this thread, I'd think he had the technical skills of Holmes, and the punch of Shavers.

Vitaly never impressed me. His claim to fame was a gutsy performance against an aging out of shape Lewis. A fight he lost. His following fights were against nothing formidable.

It may make the division more interesting, but his brother would beat him like a drum. Its also a fight we'll never see.

I agree completely. He's a modern day Henry Cooper whose claim to fame is a gutsy loss to a great heavyweight, who wasn't properly prepared and was in the twilight of his career.

He is nothing like Henry Cooper.The guys he fought were so much tougher than the guys Cooper fought.Vitali went 195-15 with 80 ko's in the amateurs and 35-2 with 34 ko's in the pro's.Cooper went 40-14 with 27 ko's against complete nobodies.Cooper wasn't even competative in his fight with Ali, Ali toyed with him, at no point was Lewis toying with Vitali, it was a back and forth fight with Vitali winning the majority of the rounds.To say Lewis wasn't prepared is a cop out.

Have you even watched the Cooper Ali fights? First they fought twice, not once as you seem to think and secondly Cooper virtually knocked Ali out. He was saved by the bell, and then by the quick thinking of his trainer Angelo Dundee who made a fuss about the stitching coming undone on Ali's gloves buying him another precious minute. Without that he would have knocked out for sure.

Klitschko never came anywhere near as that to knocking out Lewis.

actually bilbo it was timed and i think it was only extra few seconds ali had to recover think it was like 65 seconds or something only about 5 seconds extra but it was smelling sorts he had that wasnt right because they wernt allowed in uk at that time i believe so really he should of been dq

[El Kabong]

Bilbo, no one but YOU is trying to draw the comparison to Ali.

Vitali didn't stay in the limelight too long but when he did he was effective and he knocked people out and that's the long and short of it.

He lost 2 fights vs good fighters and he had some tough breaks in those fights...he answered all the questions that were asked of him.




And if you see the right cross Vitali landed in Round 2 vs Lewis you would realize that the fight was almost over right there....Lennox had to hold on for dear life.

I personally think there should have been an IMMEDIATE rematch a la Ali-Quarry. However I accept that Lewis wanted to retire with the title....I honestly feel Vitali was going to KO Lewis in the rematch anyways and he knew it too

[Klitsfan]

If I never had seen Vitaly fight, after reading this thread, I'd think he had the technical skills of Holmes, and the punch of Shavers.

Vitaly never impressed me. His claim to fame was a gutsy performance against an aging out of shape Lewis. A fight he lost. His following fights were against nothing formidable.

It may make the division more interesting, but his brother would beat him like a drum. Its also a fight we'll never see.

I agree completely. He's a modern day Henry Cooper whose claim to fame is a gutsy loss to a great heavyweight, who wasn't properly prepared and was in the twilight of his career.

He is nothing like Henry Cooper.The guys he fought were so much tougher than the guys Cooper fought.Vitali went 195-15 with 80 ko's in the amateurs and 35-2 with 34 ko's in the pro's.Cooper went 40-14 with 27 ko's against complete nobodies.Cooper wasn't even competative in his fight with Ali, Ali toyed with him, at no point was Lewis toying with Vitali, it was a back and forth fight with Vitali winning the majority of the rounds.To say Lewis wasn't prepared is a cop out.

Have you even watched the Cooper Ali fights? First they fought twice, not once as you seem to think and secondly Cooper virtually knocked Ali out. He was saved by the bell, and then by the quick thinking of his trainer Angelo Dundee who made a fuss about the stitching coming undone on Ali's gloves buying him another precious minute. Without that he would have knocked out for sure.

Klitschko never came anywhere near as that to knocking out Lewis.

The point I was trying to make is that even though Cooper knocked Ali down other than that punch he was being destroyed by Ali in all the other rounds!Vitali was not being destroyed by Lewis in that, Vitali was actually winning the fight up to the stoppage.

[ethanpiazza]

i love the klitschkos, so i am very happy to hear this. as a diehard fan, i can say with confidence that vitali is the FAR supirios of the two, and if wlad can be the top guy in the division, then vitali can dominate the division. i just hope he is fully healthy.

[ICB]

If I never had seen Vitaly fight, after reading this thread, I'd think he had the technical skills of Holmes, and the punch of Shavers.

Vitaly never impressed me. His claim to fame was a gutsy performance against an aging out of shape Lewis. A fight he lost. His following fights were against nothing formidable.

It may make the division more interesting, but his brother would beat him like a drum. Its also a fight we'll never see.

I agree completely. He's a modern day Henry Cooper whose claim to fame is a gutsy loss to a great heavyweight, who wasn't properly prepared and was in the twilight of his career.

He is nothing like Henry Cooper.The guys he fought were so much tougher than the guys Cooper fought.Vitali went 195-15 with 80 ko's in the amateurs and 35-2 with 34 ko's in the pro's.Cooper went 40-14 with 27 ko's against complete nobodies.Cooper wasn't even competative in his fight with Ali, Ali toyed with him, at no point was Lewis toying with Vitali, it was a back and forth fight with Vitali winning the majority of the rounds.To say Lewis wasn't prepared is a cop out.

Have you even watched the Cooper Ali fights? First they fought twice, not once as you seem to think and secondly Cooper virtually knocked Ali out. He was saved by the bell, and then by the quick thinking of his trainer Angelo Dundee who made a fuss about the stitching coming undone on Ali's gloves buying him another precious minute. Without that he would have knocked out for sure.

Klitschko never came anywhere near as that to knocking out Lewis.

The point I was trying to make is that even though Cooper knocked Ali down other than that punch he was being destroyed by Ali in all the other rounds!Vitali was not being destroyed by Lewis in that, Vitali was actually winning the fight up to the stoppage.

actually i disagree he wasnt getting destroyed by ali he was giving ali some troubles before knockdown cooper was doing well anyway but knockdown just added cherry on the cake

[Klitsfan]

If I never had seen Vitaly fight, after reading this thread, I'd think he had the technical skills of Holmes, and the punch of Shavers.

Vitaly never impressed me. His claim to fame was a gutsy performance against an aging out of shape Lewis. A fight he lost. His following fights were against nothing formidable.

It may make the division more interesting, but his brother would beat him like a drum. Its also a fight we'll never see.

I agree completely. He's a modern day Henry Cooper whose claim to fame is a gutsy loss to a great heavyweight, who wasn't properly prepared and was in the twilight of his career.

He is nothing like Henry Cooper.The guys he fought were so much tougher than the guys Cooper fought.Vitali went 195-15 with 80 ko's in the amateurs and 35-2 with 34 ko's in the pro's.Cooper went 40-14 with 27 ko's against complete nobodies.Cooper wasn't even competative in his fight with Ali, Ali toyed with him, at no point was Lewis toying with Vitali, it was a back and forth fight with Vitali winning the majority of the rounds.To say Lewis wasn't prepared is a cop out.

Have you even watched the Cooper Ali fights? First they fought twice, not once as you seem to think and secondly Cooper virtually knocked Ali out. He was saved by the bell, and then by the quick thinking of his trainer Angelo Dundee who made a fuss about the stitching coming undone on Ali's gloves buying him another precious minute. Without that he would have knocked out for sure.

Klitschko never came anywhere near as that to knocking out Lewis.

The point I was trying to make is that even though Cooper knocked Ali down other than that punch he was being destroyed by Ali in all the other rounds!Vitali was not being destroyed by Lewis in that, Vitali was actually winning the fight up to the stoppage.

actually i disagree he wasnt getting destroyed by ali he was giving ali some troubles before knockdown cooper was doing well anyway but knockdown just added cherry on the cake

I dont think Cooper won any other round besides the 4th.Vitali was always ahead in fights even the 2 he lost, you can't say the same for Cooper.

[plinden]

You cant compare Vitaly to Cooper. Cooper was around 185 pounds! Vitaly would beat him with his jab. You cant compare Vitaly to Ali, Ali was knocked down by Cooper, no way that Vitaly would. Ali was always (few exceptions) bigger than his opponents, Vitaly would outweigh him by 30 pounds, only his smarts would keep him alive. Vitaly would knock him out. My money would be on Vitaly against any of the greats. Foreman is 20 pounds lighter and had a defence with big holes where straight punches could get in, Frazier to short, Ali to light punching...etc. I know you dont understand this but its ok, we are all happy that he is back!

Anyway for the haters; everytime the brothers fight someone, before the fight u say that they will lose, after the fight u say that they fought a bum (lol). Tell us which 10 fighters you want them to fight to get respect?

Vitaly is always fun to watch. Go to youtube.com and see him turn Kirk Johnson in to a little scared child. o ya before the fight he was given good chances to win, after he was just a "bum".

[plinden]

By the way how much money could Vitaly make the next say 3 years? About 60million$?

[ICB]

You cant compare Vitaly to Cooper. Cooper was around 185 pounds! Vitaly would beat him with his jab. You cant compare Vitaly to Ali, Ali was knocked down by Cooper, no way that Vitaly would. Ali was always (few exceptions) bigger than his opponents, Vitaly would outweigh him by 30 pounds, only his smarts would keep him alive. Vitaly would knock him out. My money would be on Vitaly against any of the greats. Foreman is 20 pounds lighter and had a defence with big holes where straight punches could get in, Frazier to short, Ali to light punching...etc. I know you dont understand this but its ok, we are all happy that he is back!

Anyway for the haters; everytime the brothers fight someone, before the fight u say that they will lose, after the fight u say that they fought a bum (lol). Tell us which 10 fighters you want them to fight to get respect?

Vitaly is always fun to watch. Go to youtube.com and see him turn Kirk Johnson in to a little scared child. o ya before the fight he was given good chances to win, after he was just a "bum".

ali has never been koed and he was in with hardest punchers the robotic vitali wouldnt ko him no way ali has too good of a chin and i had cooper winning two rounds i think before knockdown id have to watch it again he was giving ali trouble with his left hook vitali is good but not as good as people make out just because he gave lewis trouble when lewis wernt at his best i think ray mercer gave lewis tougher fight and lewis was in top shape for that fight so i give mercer alot of props for that fight i still give vitali his dues though dont get me wrong none of them have really fought anyone good but im not blaming them its the crap hw era there in

[plinden]

You cant compare Vitaly to Cooper. Cooper was around 185 pounds! Vitaly would beat him with his jab. You cant compare Vitaly to Ali, Ali was knocked down by Cooper, no way that Vitaly would. Ali was always (few exceptions) bigger than his opponents, Vitaly would outweigh him by 30 pounds, only his smarts would keep him alive. Vitaly would knock him out. My money would be on Vitaly against any of the greats. Foreman is 20 pounds lighter and had a defence with big holes where straight punches could get in, Frazier to short, Ali to light punching...etc. I know you dont understand this but its ok, we are all happy that he is back!

Anyway for the haters; everytime the brothers fight someone, before the fight u say that they will lose, after the fight u say that they fought a bum (lol). Tell us which 10 fighters you want them to fight to get respect?

Vitaly is always fun to watch. Go to youtube.com and see him turn Kirk Johnson in to a little scared child. o ya before the fight he was given good chances to win, after he was just a "bum".

ali has never been koed and he was in with hardest punchers the robotic vitali wouldnt ko him no way ali has too good of a chin and i had cooper winning two rounds i think before knockdown id have to watch it again he was giving ali trouble with his left hook vitali is good but not as good as people make out just because he gave lewis trouble when lewis wernt at his best i think ray mercer gave lewis tougher fight and lewis was in top shape for that fight so i give mercer alot of props for that fight i still give vitali his dues though dont get me wrong none of them have really fought anyone good but im not blaming them its the crap hw era there in

I just doubt that even if Cooper was really good he could make up for 70pounds weight difference. No way; vitaly is welltrained and has a good jaw. Ali never fought bigger guys (almost never) its hard to know how he would handle Vitaly. I dont think he is robotic; he fights with left held low and moves well.

[El Kabong]

ali has never been koed and he was in with hardest punchers the robotic vitali wouldnt ko him no way ali has too good of a chin and i had cooper winning two rounds i think before knockdown id have to watch it again he was giving ali trouble with his left hook vitali is good but not as good as people make out just because he gave lewis trouble when lewis wernt at his best i think ray mercer gave lewis tougher fight and lewis was in top shape for that fight so i give mercer alot of props for that fight i still give vitali his dues though dont get me wrong none of them have really fought anyone good but im not blaming them its the crap hw era there in

TKO 10 vs Larry Holmes

Yeah it was old Ali but you said NEVER


I don't say the Klitschko's would beat any all-time greats...I just say they would be difficult for anyone to fight.

[Klitsfan]

You cant compare Vitaly to Cooper. Cooper was around 185 pounds! Vitaly would beat him with his jab. You cant compare Vitaly to Ali, Ali was knocked down by Cooper, no way that Vitaly would. Ali was always (few exceptions) bigger than his opponents, Vitaly would outweigh him by 30 pounds, only his smarts would keep him alive. Vitaly would knock him out. My money would be on Vitaly against any of the greats. Foreman is 20 pounds lighter and had a defence with big holes where straight punches could get in, Frazier to short, Ali to light punching...etc. I know you dont understand this but its ok, we are all happy that he is back!

Anyway for the haters; everytime the brothers fight someone, before the fight u say that they will lose, after the fight u say that they fought a bum (lol). Tell us which 10 fighters you want them to fight to get respect?

Vitaly is always fun to watch. Go to youtube.com and see him turn Kirk Johnson in to a little scared child. o ya before the fight he was given good chances to win, after he was just a "bum".

ali has never been koed and he was in with hardest punchers the robotic vitali wouldnt ko him no way ali has too good of a chin and i had cooper winning two rounds i think before knockdown id have to watch it again he was giving ali trouble with his left hook vitali is good but not as good as people make out just because he gave lewis trouble when lewis wernt at his best i think ray mercer gave lewis tougher fight and lewis was in top shape for that fight so i give mercer alot of props for that fight i still give vitali his dues though dont get me wrong none of them have really fought anyone good but im not blaming them its the crap hw era there in

I think the European fighters are better than they have ever been in the heavyweight division.The American fighters overall are not as good as the fighters from Joe Louis's and Ali's era but they are still good fighters.