So Where Does Wlad Go From Here?

[marbleheadmaui]

With the exception of his brother (I just don't know what to make of that so I'm going to just ignore it) Wlad has now defeated ten Ring Magazine ranked contenders in his last eleven fights.

Of the current Ring ranked contenders Wlad has beaten #'s 2, 5 and 6. So who does that leave?

In the order of their rankings

Povetkin
Adamek (he's, ahem, busy)
Dimitrenko
Boytsov
Helenius
Arreola

Let's go through them

Povetkin-Pluses, unbeaten, amateur pedigree, good puncher, has fought several gigantic fighters, trained by Teddy Atlas. Minuses He's another one of those good all around 6'2, 230 pounders with ordinary reach. We've seen this film already but he's the highest ranked guy..

Dimitrenko-Pluses, Taller, heavier and longer than Wlad. Coming off a good win over Albert Sosnowski and seems to have learned from the Chambers fight. Minuses Eddie Chambers was able to really dominate him. Eddie went wherever he wanted and he hurt Dimitrenko. Bad memory, but as said, he seems to have improved. Not a bad next fight.

Boystov-Pluses-Technically pretty good, likes to fight, seems to bring some sting when he punches. At only 25 the youngest of the possibles. Unbeaten. Minuses-Yet another 6'2, 220 guy. Biggest win is probably Bedenko, not impressive. Vinny freaking Madelone went the distance with him a couple of years ago. Too soon is my guess.

Helenius-Pluses-A BIG man at 6'7 and 240 or so. Has taken out a couple of names in Sam Peter and Lamon Brewster and has also beaten at least one gigantic fighter. Minuses Only had 15 fights and seems to have an August date with Liakhovich. Not a bad choice in my mind if he wins that fight.

Arreola-Pluses-There is absolute 100% certainty he would show up and fight hard. Big enough to compete, punches hard enough to be a threat. Seems to have his weight under control. Minuses-Always possible he shows up at 260 and stinks out the joint. Dominated by Vitali already. If he can't get by Adamek how does this get marketed? If Arreola shows up fit and destroys Ahunanya next week, why not?

It seems to me the right candidates are Povetkin, Arreola, Helenius and Dimitrenko. Helenius' people may think he needs another couple of fights so I'll guess he's out for now.

The right order is probably Povetkin, Arreola and Dimitrenko.

If Povetkin passes, is it possible Arreola gets the nod because HBO would be willing to pay something for a fit Arreola?

Where should Wlad go next?

[rjj tszyu]

I would most like to see him fight Helenius I think. Don't see him losing though. I think David Price MIGHT be able to beat everyone on that list already. I think it's time for him to step up his competition. This is not me picking the Brit because I am British, as some may feel. I have honestly seen some good things in Price, but he is still a couple of years away from Wlad and thats if he keeps improving at the rate he has been.

[armin]

honestly don't think any of em stand a chance, as you gave pretty good reasons on each. Every single one of em is lacking to much in one aspect or another, where as wlad these days is just so refined. You're not going to be able to just bumrush him or wait for him to tire like it used to be in the past, and as we saw one big shot isn't going to do it either. Its going to take someone with good boxing skills, good pop on their punches and willing to throw at least close to what wlad is throwing. Of the people on that list I see nobody beating him unless wlad gets old, as for who he should fight next, just fight em all and call it a day.

[marbleheadmaui]

I would most like to see him fight Helenius I think. Don't see him losing though. I think David Price MIGHT be able to beat everyone on that list already. I think it's time for him to step up his competition. This is not me picking the Brit because I am British, as some may feel. I have honestly seen some good things in Price, but he is still a couple of years away from Wlad and thats if he keeps improving at the rate he has been.

Price is miles away from being ready for this level. He's had what? Ten fights? And he's been in with a series of absolute nobodies. But he sure is BIG!

He's at least 2-3 years away is my guess.

[marbleheadmaui]

honestly don't think any of em stand a chance, as you gave pretty good reasons on each. Every single one of em is lacking to much in one aspect or another, where as wlad these days is just so refined. You're not going to be able to just bumrush him or wait for him to tire like it used to be in the past, and as we saw one big shot isn't going to do it either. Its going to take someone with good boxing skills, good pop on their punches and willing to throw at least close to what wlad is throwing. Of the people on that list I see nobody beating him unless wlad gets old, as for who he should fight next, just fight em all and call it a day.

It seems absolutely crazy to even me, but the fight I think I'd like to see is with Fatboy Arreola.

[armin]

I think that fight would ruin arreola for good, only so many bombs you can take on that chin till your chin tells ya to get a new profession. Cris would give it his all but don't think he finishes the fight on his feet. Who knows tho cris has some good combos when he throws em. I think wlad is just a class above the rest, and at this point in time he'd even beat vitali in a fight as well. I think the thing that'll beat wlad in the end is father time.

[marbleheadmaui]

I think that fight would ruin arreola for good, only so many bombs you can take on that chin till your chin tells ya to get a new profession. Cris would give it his all but don't think he finishes the fight on his feet. Who knows tho cris has some good combos when he throws em. I think wlad is just a class above the rest, and at this point in time he'd even beat vitali in a fight as well. I think the thing that'll beat wlad in the end is father time.

Tough to argue with any of that.

[Gandalf]

It's a shame that there isn't more out there for him, between the two of them the Klits have nailed it. Shame they will never bust each other up, but I guess you could never ask them to. I say just beat whoever is ranked and have 3 more fights.

[marbleheadmaui]

It's a shame that there isn't more out there for him, between the two of them the Klits have nailed it. Shame they will never bust each other up, but I guess you could never ask them to. I say just beat whoever is ranked and have 3 more fights.

I don't think you could ever demand it of brothers either, but it'd be the highest grossing fight of all-time wouldn't it?

I suspect promoters would fall all over themselves to offer them each $50 million.

[Nameless]

Well, Povotkin would be the next logical stop but I feel that what will determines his next move might well be the issue of Vitali-Adamek: The brothers plan was that they should hold all the belts together and then, Wladimir should be the next Unified hW. Would Vitali lose against Adamek, it would be Adamek-Wlad and would Vitali wins... I guess that then Vitali will retire (as he told once) and that Wlad would make the necessary fights to put his hold on the missing belt. I guess it would play something along those lines.

[GAME]

Wlad has now defeated ten Ring Magazine ranked contenders in his last eleven fights.

Whoa thats an impressive stat and contradicts the theory that he is only fighting bums. I know these guys werent great fighters but they were the best on offfer and Wvlad not only beats them but dominates them. I hope he gets his dues because he deserves it.

Adamek is the last of the realistic challengers left. The others are pretty predictable in that they wont get past either brothers jab. Congrats to the Klitschkos for achieveing their goal. I'd pick them over Phil and Grant Mitchel too.

[DopeyKev]

It's a shame that there isn't more out there for him, between the two of them the Klits have nailed it. Shame they will never bust each other up, but I guess you could never ask them to. I say just beat whoever is ranked and have 3 more fights.

I don't think you could ever demand it of brothers either, but it'd be the highest grossing fight of all-time wouldn't it?

I suspect promoters would fall all over themselves to offer them each $50 million.

It would be surreal to see them going at it. I want that fight more than any other.

[jon09]

I think if Adamek were to pull out a miracle and beat Vitali then that would be the next logical step. Also the winner of Fury vs Chisora could happen. It is defiantly slim pickings in the heavies right now. I don't think we will see Wlad for the rest of this year.

[badr_hari]

Povetkin would be the most logical choice, but who knows what is going on in the mind of Teddy Atlas.

[J_C]

Nobody mentioned Valuev here. I'd like to see that purely cos its a challenge that Wlad hasnt yet faced, fighting a bigger man. I mean im sure Wlad would win (but im sure he'd beat anyone previously mentioned in the thread tbh) but at least its something different. Dude might have retired though, not sure, hasnt fought since the Haye fight.