Chris Byrd: "Wlad hits 3 times harder than Vitali"

[Boxing Writer]

"Wladimir hits 3 times harder than Vitali...Vitali has better ability...he's better on his feet...he's tougher...one's tougher, but the other hits way harder," - Chris Byrd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJKEokN-daA

[Datsue]

"Wladimir hits 3 times harder than Vitali...Vitali has better ability...he's better on his feet...he's tougher...one's tougher, but the other hits way harder," - Chris Byrd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJKEokN-daA

Chris always spoke a lot of sense, to my mind. I'd like to hear him as a commentator.

But that "revelation" in the thread title is what anyone with any fraction of a boxing brain has been saying for years; only those raised on videogames ever thought Vitali hit harder (mostly composed of people who think KO ratio is somehow relevant to this discussion (when, to be relevant, it would obviously have to be compiled against exactly the same opponents, & even then could be discounted as an indicator of true hitting power because of the opponents' injuries, accumulated ring wear, circumstance etc etc etc)).

Search "Klitschko" & my name (or dempseyfire's, Saadoffthedeck's, Tarkus's, jamesmcdonnell's, Counter-puncher, just off the top of my head) on this forum, & read what we've had to say on the Bros. Klit's relative hitting power over the years: eerily reminiscent of Chris's opinion.

Wlad set his feet like a natural boxer & pivoted his bodyweight all the way through his punches. Vitali fought leaning back with his legs splayed like he was still about to block a low kick from his kickboxing days, & never ever turned his punches over: he was basically a freakishly huge, hard-as-nails arm puncher, who wore you down because he knew how to use his size & was fit enough to keep pecking at you.

Physics did the rest.

As we can see with Fury's latter fights, however, a dreadnought size heavy who fights to minimise risk & flicks you with sharp arm punches for twelve rounds can still really fvck your shite up if he can keep up a decent work-rate.

Nice interview though, thank you for posting.

PS: I suppose, on reflection, it's nice to get your opinions corroborated from a secondary source, but my initial disbelieving reaction was to the idea that this came as a surprise to anyone (I mean, the interviewer gasps & does an audible double-take).

[lefty]

Agree with most of what Byrd said aside from the part about Vitali moving better. I think Wladimir has better footwork personally.

[Tony1244]

Perhaps. But I rarely believe what boxers say about other boxers, because it's often based on popularity.

It's like when a girl calls another girl "cute," it means she likes her as a person.

[Rexob]

Perhaps. But I rarely believe what boxers say about other boxers, because it's often based on popularity.

It's like when a girl calls another girl "cute," it means she likes her as a person.

Or she is a lesbian.

[Tony1244]

Perhaps. But I rarely believe what boxers say about other boxers, because it's often based on popularity.

It's like when a girl calls another girl "cute," it means she likes her as a person.

Or she is a lesbian.

I'm in my 50s and still joke around with women and call them lesbians when they say another woman is beautiful.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

That was obvious for years.

[Boxing Writer]

Of course it was obvious for me. But some people (on this forum too) said: "Oh, Vitali has better KO%, so he must be harder puncher".

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Of course it was obvious for me. But some people (on this forum too) said: "Oh, Vitali has better KO%, so he must be harder puncher".

Some? Overwhelming majority, I think I was called an idiot more for saying Vitali wasn't a big puncher than I was for saying Broner had no chance with maidana.

[Tony1244]

The word on the street was that Wlad was a more fluid boxer but Vit hit harder. Years ago I believed that, but yes I agree now that Wlad hits harder. This is not one of those areas where someone is an idiot if they disagree. Vit took a better shot, I don't think there will be much of a debate there.

[Boxerbeetle]

This was hardly a startling revelation. I thought the concensus was always that Wlad was the bigger puncher?

[Deadendgeneration]

The only shock is the idea statement that Vitali moves better. I just can't agree with that. More willing to come forward and throw punches for sure. They always looked like 2 halves of a great heavyweight. One had real power and could box pretty well, the other had a great chin/heart and was willing to get stuck in.

[Blodhemn]

Byrd always said Vitali was the harder one to fight - much more awkward and unpredictable. Wlad just has the coordination to swoon the westerners into believing he was the better boxer. If they ever fought, Vitali would dominate with superior skill, boxing IQ, stamina and ring generalship. Wlad's superior power would do nothing for him.

[Ricky_]

There's more kinetic energy/acceleration in Wlad's punches. Vitali throws more arm punches, shots from the shoulder. You eat a shot from Wlad it's probably lights out... but i think Shannon Briggs would have preffered an early night.

[lefty]

Byrd always said Vitali was the harder one to fight - much more awkward and unpredictable. Wlad just has the coordination to swoon the westerners into believing he was the better boxer. If they ever fought, Vitali would dominate with superior skill, boxing IQ, stamina and ring generalship. Wlad's superior power would do nothing for him.

[Blodhemn]

Too much to take in. I understand.