Well I saw his first fights on HBO, the ones vs Charles Shufford, Ray Mercer, and Jameel McCline. I was just in awe of the offense that guy has. I'm used to big white guys fighting like Morrison and Cooney and it's not just because he's white, though it made it a little shocking to see him dominate being a white European. When he started out no one knew the Europeans were going to be this good everyone stereotyped them as stiff, robotic, with glass jaws. Wlad and Vitali were pretty fluid fighters, Vitali had a little bit of his kickboxing stance which made him awkward but that's different than being robotic. And Vitali had an awesome chin.

Another thing the typical Euro fighters are questioned about is heart, Wlad has heart. VS Sanders he kept getting up, vs Brewster in the 5th he was tired, couldn't keep his hands up but he took all of Brewster's best shots BUT he only collapsed at the end of the round from exhaustion.

I think Wlad has really improved and he is finally getting Manny's technique down pat and that spells trouble for anyone wanting to fight him. And the guy has balls, people say he's got a glass jaw, well he put the first L on Sam Peter's record....which after losing to Sanders and Brewster people said he should never fight a puncher. Sam Peter was his best fight so far, the demolition of Chris Byrd in the rematch and the win over (a prime, I guess that was his prime) Jameel McCline tied for second.