how would the klitschkos have got on during the late 80s/early 90s era??

[Wayne]

As much trouble as Wlad had with Ray Mercer I reckon Mercer would have had his way with him back in his prime.

[Taeth]

I don't necessarily think so, I don't see how prime Mercer would have an easier time getting past that jab. Wlad is much better IMO at using his height than Lennox was who fought more athletically and especially against Mercer failed to really impose his size on Mercer, nor did Lennox tie Mercer up on the inside which Wlad would do everytime Mercer got in close.

I think Vitali would be competitive and probably at the top of any division all the way back. IMO it wasn't just Lennox's age that made the fight so hard for him. Vitali is that good. He's so tall, great chin, good defensive skills, and still pretty athletic. This guy could compete with anyone who's ever fought.

[rjj tszyu]

Bowe, Lewis, holyfield and Tyson would have chewed them both up and spat them out. I think they probably beat the rest though!

[Taeth]

Why Bowe? I think Vitali would make him crumple in the wind, I mean Bowe barely had more firepower than Holyfield who is a great fighter, but not a very big heavyweight.

I think Holyfield would have big difficulties with either brother at any point in his career, they are too good against his style of fighting. I think he would chew up Wladimir how he used to fight, but now he doesn't really leave a shorter guy the oppertunity to get anything done. I could see Tyson leaping in and landing on Wlad, but I don't see Holyfield having that explosiveness to reach Wlad who fights so defensively.

[rjj tszyu]

Why Bowe? I think Vitali would make him crumple in the wind, I mean Bowe barely had more firepower than Holyfield who is a great fighter, but not a very big heavyweight.

I think Holyfield would have big difficulties with either brother at any point in his career, they are too good against his style of fighting. I think he would chew up Wladimir how he used to fight, but now he doesn't really leave a shorter guy the oppertunity to get anything done. I could see Tyson leaping in and landing on Wlad, but I don't see Holyfield having that explosiveness to reach Wlad who fights so defensively.

Yeah but look how shite Wlad looks against bums! Holyfield is an ATG. Holyfield would have crushed any version of Wlad in his prime!

[El Kabong]

Wladimir and Vitali would have been OK...I'm not so sure Bowe would have had such an easy time with them. Remember he didn't want to fight Lewis because Lennox wrecked him in the amateurs.

Bowe was an exciting fighter because he gave up his height and liked to fight on the inside....it wouldn't work to his advantage vs either brother. But he did have a hell of a chin.

I think the best style match ups would be:

Mike Tyson for Vitali as in the late 80's and all through the 90's Tyson stopped moving his head and was beatable by guys who had good chins, knew how to box and had good defense.....Vitali is hard to hit unless you are head hunting and if you are he's 6'8 and leans back....it would be difficult for the 5'10 Tyson to connect often enough to cause significant damage IMO.

Riddick Bowe for Wlad, while I think that Riddick was a very good fighter he was 6'5 and gave up his size to fight on the inside because he liked to mix it up which is what made him VERY popular, however, giving up size and distance to let Wlad use how he wants is dangerous for anyone. Bowe had a good chin, was never stopped (he didn't fight many of the best power punchers of his era though), but got dropped by Evander, and vs Golota while he wasn't the same fighter he WAS getting schooled before Golota just blew up.

The worst matchup for the two are:

Lennox Lewis for Vitali...those two seemed evenly matched even when Lewis was SAID to be out of shape. Lewis a great boxer, a self professed "pugilist specialist" when he was younger could box and move as good as anyone before him. Although he could get careless it only happened twice in his career and he was able to avenge those losses.

Evander Holyfield for Wladimir...now I don't doubt that Wlad would totally own Evander for the majority of the fight but Evander has a great chin and the best stamina of his era. Evander would apply great pressure to Wlad and Wlad would bust him up BUT Evander would just take it and keep coming....that's a more dangerous fight than Tyson IMO who yes very well could catch Wlad with a haymaker BUT #1 Wlad doesn't drop from just one punch #2 Tyson allowed people to tie him up all throughout his career and Wlad is bigger and stronger than damn near everyone Tyson ever fought.

[DaxxKahn]

I don't necessarily think so, I don't see how prime Mercer would have an easier time getting past that jab. Wlad is much better IMO at using his height than Lennox was who fought more athletically and especially against Mercer failed to really impose his size on Mercer, nor did Lennox tie Mercer up on the inside which Wlad would do everytime Mercer got in close.

I think Vitali would be competitive and probably at the top of any division all the way back. IMO it wasn't just Lennox's age that made the fight so hard for him. Vitali is that good. He's so tall, great chin, good defensive skills, and still pretty athletic. This guy could compete with anyone who's ever fought.

Though I think either could compete at the top level at any time in the sports history..

I agree especially on Vitaly...The man is damn good and impressive, when at the top of his game he is frightning..

His chin is one of the best ever...He hits so damn hard...He can move...he can fight in more then one style...

The man is the complete package...To say otherwise is ust hating on the Klitschko name not genuine boxing opinion

[Beanflicker]

As much trouble as Wlad had with Ray Mercer I reckon Mercer would have had his way with him back in his prime.

What Wlad absolutely destroyed Mercer! I've never seen Mercer take such a horrendous beating as he did from Wlad.

And as unpopular as the Klitschko's may be, there is one undeniable fact: Those guys would do great in ANY era, and on any given night could have beaten any HW who ever lived. I'm not saying they are the best HWs ever, I don't even think they are top 10. But anybody with a combination of that much size and that much talent would be AT THE VERY LEAST an A-level, title contender in ANY era.