Wladimir Klitschko vs Francesco Pianeta

[palmerq]

Wladimir Klitschko and his management have had several heavyweights turn down the offer of a voluntary title shot. Sauerland's fighters like Kubrat Pulev and Riobert Helenius were unwilling, or at least their promoter was. Alexander Povetkin has pulled out twice in the past and is always a big risk to do so again, and with purse bids the fight wouldn't happen until July anyway.

Tyson Fury's management said "no" when sent a contract. Odlanier Solis was originally chosen as Wladimir's voluntary opponent, but Don King pulled the plug on it. Others like Fres Oquendo are willing but not really qualified.

Bryant Jennings was willing and might be a better fighter than Francesco Pianeta or about as good, but he's unknown in Europe, so that only made sense if it were on HBO. Wladimir had chosen actually chosen Jennings, but HBO said no, so then they decided to go with Pianeta.

So Pianeta is probably the best of who is willing and available. He's ranked by the sanctioning organizations, he's undefeated at 28-0, and he's a 6'5" natural heavyweight.

The Bradley-Prodovnikov situation is very different. There were many better fighters than Provodnikov available and willing, but Bradley chose someone who has limited skills and athleticism who would make him look very good, and too make it worse, would need to move up from 140 to 147.

So people who bash Wladimir Klitschko for fighting Pianeta yet find Bradley-Prodovnikov acceptable are not being fair and are going by a double standard. Bradley fighting Prodovnikov is like Wlad choosing the BoxRec #23 cruiserweight and asking him to move up for the fight.

Wlad will fight Povetkin in July if Sauerland wants it.

good post... there just isnt many people out there who make much sense if wlad wants to stay busy before povetkin will finally fight him...

[Gandalf]

Wlad fights rubbish all the time now, but he did duck somebody. He ducked James Toney. He doesn't have Toney on his record and neither does the better brother. The reason is clear. They wanted nothing to do with such an awkward fighter. Jab, jab, jab....ooh a right. Round over. Dull, dull, dull. When David Haye was your 'name' oppenent you knew were pretty mediocre and should scoop deeper into the barrel of emptiness.

[bzkfn]

I am confused here though, Wlad's defenders have said Povetkin doesn't want to fight, but my understanding is they are contesting the decision to grant Wlad a voluntary fight right?

So yes Povetkin ran before, but he isn't running now. Please understand I'm not saying Wlad is ducking Povetkin, because I'm sure it'll happen, but why postpone it for this?

[GOAT]

Nuttin but a hypejob in a weak division. Throwback-contender for breakfast please.

[IamInuit]

Pianeta or Pinata?

Slim pickings for Wlad. At least its not Fres.

[Freedom]

I am confused here though, Wlad's defenders have said Povetkin doesn't want to fight, but my understanding is they are contesting the decision to grant Wlad a voluntary fight right?

So yes Povetkin ran before, but he isn't running now. Please understand I'm not saying Wlad is ducking Povetkin, because I'm sure it'll happen, but why postpone it for this?

Sauerland and K-2 didn't agree so Povetkin-Klitschko is going to purse bid. So it will be delayed until July anyway.

If K-2 wins the purse bid, Povetkin will pull out again because of the conflicting TV contracts. If Sauerland wins the purse bid, Povetkin will fight Wlad, and it will be televised on ARD not RTL.

Wlad has a contract with RTL guaranteeing them a fight in the spring of 2013, that's why he's fighting Pianeta.

[bzkfn]

I am confused here though, Wlad's defenders have said Povetkin doesn't want to fight, but my understanding is they are contesting the decision to grant Wlad a voluntary fight right?

So yes Povetkin ran before, but he isn't running now. Please understand I'm not saying Wlad is ducking Povetkin, because I'm sure it'll happen, but why postpone it for this?

Sauerland and K-2 didn't agree so Povetkin-Klitschko is going to purse bid. So it will be delayed until July anyway.

If K-2 wins the purse bid, Povetkin will pull out again because of the conflicting TV contracts. If Sauerland wins the purse bid, Povetkin will fight Wlad, and it will be televised on ARD not RTL.

Wlad has a contract with RTL guaranteeing them a fight in the spring of 2013, that's why he's fighting Pianeta.

Thanks, that makes a little more sense. Still could have picked a better opponent though.

[Spicoli]

The road to the Heavyweight world Championship should not go through a 44 yr old Frans Botha and a 47 yr old Oliver f'kn McCall. It just shouldn't. Thats everything that is wrong with the division. Its a laughing stock. If there is seemingly no 'viable' challenge at the moment...take a Holiday or go on a hiking trip. But ffs don't just make one up for the sake of running up the numbers. You don't go into a heavyweight title fight saying 'Well anything can happen, maybe he can fight some and he'll get lucky'. At the very least make it non title.

[Freedom]

Wlad has the right to keep fighting and make a living. People want to see him fight, he's very popular in Germany.

Larry Holmes and Joe Louis had some worse title defenses than Pianeta.

Holmes title fights :

Mike Weaver (41-18 ) (1979)
Ossie Ocasio (23-13) (1979)
David Bey (18-11) (1985)

Joe Louis title fights:

Johnny Paychek (not ranked top 10)
Arturo Godoy
Al McCoy (3-3 in previous 6, not ranked top 10)
Red Burman (not ranked top 10)
Gus Dorazio (not ranked top 10)
Abe Simon (coming off loss to 15-11 Jim Thompson)
Tony Musto (was 2-4 in previous 6, not ranked top 10)

Why is Pianeta's fighting old McCall any worse than Ali fighting age 47 Archie Moore? Or Mike Moorer being KOed by an old Foreman?

Pianeta is:

BoxRec #14
WBO #9
WBA #12
- undefeated 28-0
- 6'5", 240 pounds (no blown up cruiserweight)
- young at age 28 and in his physical prime (no shot old guy)
- active, he fought 4 times in 2012
- a southpaw (more difficult style for the champ)
- a known name in Germany, makes the fight bigger there

Decent opponent for Wlad right now. I'm looking forward to it!

[El Kabong]

Doesn't matter who Wlad fights he'll catch hell for it. People just love to hate the guy....I'm sorry he's not "from tha hood" I'm sorry he's "a clean cut white guy" I'm sorry he's "not American " but everyone hung up on that bullshit can just help themselves to a big ol' bowl of "get the fuck over it!"

[ninjaspy3]

Doesn't matter who Wlad fights he'll catch hell for it. People just love to hate the guy....I'm sorry he's not "from tha hood" I'm sorry he's "a clean cut white guy" I'm sorry he's "not American " but everyone hung up on that bullshit can just help themselves to a big ol' bowl of "get the fuck over it!"

Wlad is a quality fighter and it just disappoints me to see him fight someone with zero chance of competing. Theres no intrigue in this fight.

[Vendettos]

Doesn't matter who Wlad fights he'll catch hell for it. People just love to hate the guy....I'm sorry he's not "from tha hood" I'm sorry he's "a clean cut white guy" I'm sorry he's "not American " but everyone hung up on that bullshit can just help themselves to a big ol' bowl of "get the fuck over it!"

Wlad is a quality fighter and it just disappoints me to see him fight someone with zero chance of competing. Theres no intrigue in this fight.

2 words.

Evander Holyfield

If its just a stay busy fight, give the old yin a shot lol.

[beenKOed]

Doesn't matter who Wlad fights he'll catch hell for it. People just love to hate the guy....I'm sorry he's not "from tha hood" I'm sorry he's "a clean cut white guy" I'm sorry he's "not American " but everyone hung up on that bullshit can just help themselves to a big ol' bowl of "get the fuck over it!"

I feel the same way. It seems like everyone blames the Klitschkos for the sorry state the heavyweight division is in.
It is not the Klitschkos fault that there is a lack of quality heavyweights, and I sure don't blame them for taking advantage of the situation as long as they can.

[The Promoter]

I may be the only one but I like the Wlad vs Pianeta fight for a multiple of reasons:

1. Pianeta's size is equal to Wlad on all fronts, gone will be Wlads overwhelming reach advantage.

2. Pianeta has a nice jab, is it good enough to nullify Wlads probably not, but does propose some difficulty.

3. Pianeta's a a Lefty and Wlad doesn't really like big Lefty's

4. If Wlad is tested how will he react without Manny to keep his head on straight?

I do know that Pianeta has not shown great power and has recently had some lackluster performances but at least this fight presents enough questions to make me want to pay for it....

[Freedom]

I may be the only one but I like the Wlad vs Pianeta fight for a multiple of reasons:

1. Pianeta's size is equal to Wlad on all fronts, gone will be Wlads overwhelming reach advantage.

2. Pianeta has a nice jab, is it good enough to nullify Wlads probably not, but does propose some difficulty.

3. Pianeta's a a Lefty and Wlad doesn't really like big Lefty's

4. If Wlad is tested how will he react without Manny to keep his head on straight?

I do know that Pianeta has not shown great power and has recently had some lackluster performances but at least this fight presents enough questions to make me want to pay for it....

Good post.

Pianeta has never been down either as a pro or as an amateur.

He was world amateur youth heavyweight champion. Francesco is not flashy, but he's sturdy and has good technical skills. I thought he was finished when I heard he had cancer a few years ago, but his treatment was successful. Pianeta is ranked #14 on BoxRec and #12 by the IBO computer. The highest ranked opponent he's defeated was ranked #18 at the time by the IBO computer.

Heavyweight - Top 100 IBO Rankings - International Boxing Organization

Timothy Bradley's next opponent Provodnikov is ranked BoxRec #24 in a lighter weight division than Bradley (he's never fought at 147 before). The highest ranked fighter Provodnikov ever defeated was ranked #58 by the IBO computer! Even though Bradley in contrast to Provodnikov is generally ranked in the top 10 P4P, nobody is complaining about Bradley-Provodnikov.

Why are some people so harshly critical of Klitschkos?