Quote Originally Posted by JazMerkin View Post
I didn't see it the way everyone else did. Obviously Vitali dominated, but the thing is Johnson should have been nowhere near a title shot. He's actually got some real talent, but you can't make the jump from Devin Vargas to Vitali Klitschko just like that. He needed at least another 3 or 4 fights to gain the experience to be competitive in there.

I'm amazed no one is actually bagging on Klitschko for making this I believe a voluntary title defence. It's the equivalent of Mayweather or Pacquiao choosing to fight Antwone Smith, someone who might be dangerous in about 18 months to 2 years. Unlike others, I saw some talent in Johnson tonight & if you give him another year or so, he might be able to work himself back into position. Johnson fought like a sparring partner tonight for one key reason & that's that at this stage of his career he should be no more than a Klitschko sparring partner.

If he learns from tonight, he will get another shot & he'll make better of it. A more competent promoter wouldn't have just jumped at the money, but would instead looked to get him the shot at a level where he was ready for the title.

Good post Jaz, I do agree about Johnson not being ready, the trouble is NOBODY is ready, and the guys at the top have already been handily beaten by the Klit's so its a difficult situation.

But I don't think Vitali fighting Johnson in a stay busy fight is as bad as Mayweather or Manny fighting Antwone Smith. Firstly Vitali is almost 40 and has only been back in action this year after an absence of four or five years.

Secondly it was his second fight in as many months. Floyd fights like once a year so it would be ridiculous for him to fight Antwone Smith but if he wanted to get another quick stay busy fight round about now to just get some more ring time in before March it wouldn't be that big a deal, it's what the old school fighters did all the time.

I guess Vitali wanted to makes sure he got in three fights this year, that's all.