Vitali Klitschko vs Anthony Joshua

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Vitali of 2009 (Arreola fight) vs Joshua of today.

Could Vitali have avenged another loss of his brother Wladimir?

[Noxy]

Yes, Vitali was the bacon. There aren’t many he couldn’t have beat.

[Joson]

Joshua is the more talented fighter, but Vitali, by far, was tougher. Vitali also had better ring smarts. I can't picture Vitali losing this fight.

Klitschko by stoppage or UD.

[scorpio83]

At his best, Vitali would pound AJ into submission by stopping him in 10 rounds.

[Bodyshot3]

Vitali for me as well.....tough SOB and he could win a war with Joshua or just mess him about and pot shot him with hard jabs that take their toll. Maybe cuts a factor for him though?

[DrDuke]

Joshua outboxes Vitali. The robotic AJ has more tools in the box, than the sloppy one-twoer Vitali. Joshua also hits much harder. He got up after Wlad himself and Vitali couldn't hit that hard. Remember the Lewis uppercut? Joshua can throw these ones two.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Joshua outboxes Vitali. The robotic AJ has more tools in the box, than the sloppy one-twoer Vitali. Joshua also hits much harder. He got up after Wlad himself and Vitali couldn't hit that hard. Remember the Lewis uppercut? Joshua can throw these ones two.

Joshua is more athletic and might be quicker in hands than Vitali. However, I wouldn't say Vit was a "one-twoer". He actually had a more varied offense than his brother Wladimir (than Wlad, who was trained by Steward, at least) - hooks off the jab, uppercuts... He also worked the body well. And he did hit hard. I just think that he was more of an accumulative puncher. But he did hurt Lewis. Plus, Chris Arreola described him as a bigger puncher than Wilder. Which is interesting.

To me, Vitali is somewhat of a heavyweight Carl Froch. Both were awkward, but they were able to use it to their advantage. Both could punch from some odd angles. And both were quite accurate.

If anything, I think Joshua is a more orthodox fighter of the two. More linear in his approach. Something tells me that AJ would struggle with Vitali's style more than Vitali would struggle with AJ's style. And Vitali, to me, was tougher. I don't disagree with you that AJ had tools to win. But how would he react when/if the fight doesn't go according to a plan?

[gilgamesh]

AJ's story is not done being written.

[DrDuke]

Joshua outboxes Vitali. The robotic AJ has more tools in the box, than the sloppy one-twoer Vitali. Joshua also hits much harder. He got up after Wlad himself and Vitali couldn't hit that hard. Remember the Lewis uppercut? Joshua can throw these ones two.

Joshua is more athletic and might be quicker in hands than Vitali. However, I wouldn't say Vit was a "one-twoer". He actually had a more varied offense than his brother Wladimir (than Wlad, who was trained by Steward, at least) - hooks off the jab, uppercuts... He also worked the body well. And he did hit hard. I just think that he was more of an accumulative puncher. But he did hurt Lewis. Plus, Chris Arreola described him as a bigger puncher than Wilder. Which is interesting.

To me, Vitali is somewhat of a heavyweight Carl Froch. Both were awkward, but they were able to use it to their advantage. Both could punch from some odd angles. And both were quite accurate.

If anything, I think Joshua is a more orthodox fighter of the two. More linear in his approach. Something tells me that AJ would struggle with Vitali's style more than Vitali would struggle with AJ's style. And Vitali, to me, was tougher. I don't disagree with you that AJ had tools to win. But how would he react when/if the fight doesn't go according to a plan?

Vitali could use his range well infront of the much smaller and less skilled fighters. Lewis was old and fat, but he managed to reach Vitali, whose angles are pretty poor. Big and well-schooled Joshua wouldn't have much problems with reaching Vitali.

Joshua is proved on the significantly better opposition. Vitali's best wins were hittable and not durable Sanders with crude Sam Peter. The likes of Povetkin, Parker and obviously Vit's lil' brother are clearly better.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Joshua outboxes Vitali. The robotic AJ has more tools in the box, than the sloppy one-twoer Vitali. Joshua also hits much harder. He got up after Wlad himself and Vitali couldn't hit that hard. Remember the Lewis uppercut? Joshua can throw these ones two.

Joshua is more athletic and might be quicker in hands than Vitali. However, I wouldn't say Vit was a "one-twoer". He actually had a more varied offense than his brother Wladimir (than Wlad, who was trained by Steward, at least) - hooks off the jab, uppercuts... He also worked the body well. And he did hit hard. I just think that he was more of an accumulative puncher. But he did hurt Lewis. Plus, Chris Arreola described him as a bigger puncher than Wilder. Which is interesting.

To me, Vitali is somewhat of a heavyweight Carl Froch. Both were awkward, but they were able to use it to their advantage. Both could punch from some odd angles. And both were quite accurate.

If anything, I think Joshua is a more orthodox fighter of the two. More linear in his approach. Something tells me that AJ would struggle with Vitali's style more than Vitali would struggle with AJ's style. And Vitali, to me, was tougher. I don't disagree with you that AJ had tools to win. But how would he react when/if the fight doesn't go according to a plan?

Vitali could use his range well infront of the much smaller and less skilled fighters. Lewis was old and fat, but he managed to reach Vitali, whose angles are pretty poor. Big and well-schooled Joshua wouldn't have much problems with reaching Vitali.

Joshua is proved on the significantly better opposition. Vitali's best wins were hittable and not durable Sanders with crude Sam Peter. The likes of Povetkin, Parker and obviously Vit's lil' brother are clearly better.

I don't know about "clearly better", man. I might agree with you, that AJ has an overall deeper resume. But all these mentioned fighters had their vulnerabilities. On a certain night, Sanders and Peter could've beaten Povetkin and Parker. And vice versa, too.

Speaking about "old and fat" Lennox Lewis - I won't argue that Lewis clearly wasn't at his very best when he fought Vitali. But you know, I actually think that even 2003 Lewis could've beaten some of these guys and might even have beaten Joshua. I wouldn't have been surprised by that a bit. Watching that fight back - Lennox actually wasn't AS terrible as it's often described nowadays.

Yes, Joshua's punches could've reached Vitali. Vitali had a tendency of keeping his lead hand low. But I trust Vitali's chin. I also think that Vit would've been able to use his reach well even against a similarly tall AJ (Vitali is actually a bit taller). AJ is rather straight-up, doesn't use a lot of feints and is, more or less, always in front of his opponents. His defense has enough holes, too. And unlike Wladimir, Vitali won't just go for left-right straight.

As far as speed - I think, Joshua has an edge here. And when he's willing, he can even be more explosive than Vit. But if he's going through the motions against Vitali -it's not gonna do him any good.

[DrDuke]

Joshua is more athletic and might be quicker in hands than Vitali. However, I wouldn't say Vit was a "one-twoer". He actually had a more varied offense than his brother Wladimir (than Wlad, who was trained by Steward, at least) - hooks off the jab, uppercuts... He also worked the body well. And he did hit hard. I just think that he was more of an accumulative puncher. But he did hurt Lewis. Plus, Chris Arreola described him as a bigger puncher than Wilder. Which is interesting.

To me, Vitali is somewhat of a heavyweight Carl Froch. Both were awkward, but they were able to use it to their advantage. Both could punch from some odd angles. And both were quite accurate.

If anything, I think Joshua is a more orthodox fighter of the two. More linear in his approach. Something tells me that AJ would struggle with Vitali's style more than Vitali would struggle with AJ's style. And Vitali, to me, was tougher. I don't disagree with you that AJ had tools to win. But how would he react when/if the fight doesn't go according to a plan?

Vitali could use his range well infront of the much smaller and less skilled fighters. Lewis was old and fat, but he managed to reach Vitali, whose angles are pretty poor. Big and well-schooled Joshua wouldn't have much problems with reaching Vitali.

Joshua is proved on the significantly better opposition. Vitali's best wins were hittable and not durable Sanders with crude Sam Peter. The likes of Povetkin, Parker and obviously Vit's lil' brother are clearly better.

I don't know about "clearly better", man. I might agree with you, that AJ has an overall deeper resume. But all these mentioned fighters had their vulnerabilities. On a certain night, Sanders and Peter could've beaten Povetkin and Parker. And vice versa, too.

Speaking about "old and fat" Lennox Lewis - I won't argue that Lewis clearly wasn't at his very best when he fought Vitali. But you know, I actually think that even 2003 Lewis could've beaten some of these guys and might even have beaten Joshua. I wouldn't have been surprised by that a bit. Watching that fight back - Lennox actually wasn't AS terrible as it's often described nowadays.

Yes, Joshua's punches could've reached Vitali. Vitali had a tendency of keeping his lead hand low. But I trust Vitali's chin. I also think that Vit would've been able to use his reach well even against a similarly tall AJ (Vitali is actually a bit taller). AJ is rather straight-up, doesn't use a lot of feints and is, more or less, always in front of his opponents. His defense has enough holes, too. And unlike Wladimir, Vitali won't just go for left-right straight.

As far as speed - I think, Joshua has an edge here. And when he's willing, he can even be more explosive than Vit. But if he's going through the motions ag
ainst Vitali -it's not gonna do him any good.

Joshua probably wouldn't knock Vitali out cold, but he surely could hurt Klit, to damage him and to tire him up, that's how he could more likely to score a stoppage

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Vitali could use his range well infront of the much smaller and less skilled fighters. Lewis was old and fat, but he managed to reach Vitali, whose angles are pretty poor. Big and well-schooled Joshua wouldn't have much problems with reaching Vitali.

Joshua is proved on the significantly better opposition. Vitali's best wins were hittable and not durable Sanders with crude Sam Peter. The likes of Povetkin, Parker and obviously Vit's lil' brother are clearly better.

I don't know about "clearly better", man. I might agree with you, that AJ has an overall deeper resume. But all these mentioned fighters had their vulnerabilities. On a certain night, Sanders and Peter could've beaten Povetkin and Parker. And vice versa, too.

Speaking about "old and fat" Lennox Lewis - I won't argue that Lewis clearly wasn't at his very best when he fought Vitali. But you know, I actually think that even 2003 Lewis could've beaten some of these guys and might even have beaten Joshua. I wouldn't have been surprised by that a bit. Watching that fight back - Lennox actually wasn't AS terrible as it's often described nowadays.

Yes, Joshua's punches could've reached Vitali. Vitali had a tendency of keeping his lead hand low. But I trust Vitali's chin. I also think that Vit would've been able to use his reach well even against a similarly tall AJ (Vitali is actually a bit taller). AJ is rather straight-up, doesn't use a lot of feints and is, more or less, always in front of his opponents. His defense has enough holes, too. And unlike Wladimir, Vitali won't just go for left-right straight.

As far as speed - I think, Joshua has an edge here. And when he's willing, he can even be more explosive than Vit. But if he's going through the motions ag
ainst Vitali -it's not gonna do him any good.

Joshua probably wouldn't knock Vitali out cold, but he surely could hurt Klit, to damage him and to tire him up, that's how he could more likely to score a stoppage

It's not out of the realms. These are two top HW's of their era. But speaking about prediction - I guess, we can agree to disagree here. I'm going with Vitali.

[Ambling Alp II]

Vitali for me as well.....tough SOB and he could win a war with Joshua or just mess him about and pot shot him with hard jabs that take their toll. Maybe cuts a factor for him though?

Very tough, no quit in him.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Vitali for me as well.....tough SOB and he could win a war with Joshua or just mess him about and pot shot him with hard jabs that take their toll. Maybe cuts a factor for him though?

Very tough, no quit in him.

He quit against byrd

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Vitali for me as well.....tough SOB and he could win a war with Joshua or just mess him about and pot shot him with hard jabs that take their toll. Maybe cuts a factor for him though?

Very tough, no quit in him.

He quit against byrd

Well, yes. And he was subsequently butchered by HBO for that. I don't know whether his shoulder was in that bad condition or not. But I give him that - he proved he isn't a coward or anything like that in next fights. Most notably, against Lewis. Where, I think, he was literally ready to die if not for the doctor.

He also continued to carry on against Chisora with a bad shoulder. And he was past it against Del Boy.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Very tough, no quit in him.

He quit against byrd

Well, yes. And he was subsequently butchered by HBO for that. I don't know whether his shoulder was in that bad condition or not. But I give him that - he proved he isn't a coward or anything like that in next fights. Most notably, against Lewis. Where, I think, he was literally ready to die if not for the doctor.

He also continued to carry on against Chisora with a bad shoulder. And he was past it against Del Boy.

Hes a tough man I agree. A hell of a lot tougher than me

[EdwardRevolver1993]

He quit against byrd

Well, yes. And he was subsequently butchered by HBO for that. I don't know whether his shoulder was in that bad condition or not. But I give him that - he proved he isn't a coward or anything like that in next fights. Most notably, against Lewis. Where, I think, he was literally ready to die if not for the doctor.

He also continued to carry on against Chisora with a bad shoulder. And he was past it against Del Boy.

Hes a tough man I agree. A hell of a lot tougher than me

Ha-ha! BTW, is Jeff Lacy TKO just a nickname or are you really Jeff Lacy?) Back in early 2010's, I had a chance to speak to Jeff Lacy on social media. In fact, we were friends on Facebook. Then, I guess he deleted the page.

And just overall, I met several boxers on different forums.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Well, yes. And he was subsequently butchered by HBO for that. I don't know whether his shoulder was in that bad condition or not. But I give him that - he proved he isn't a coward or anything like that in next fights. Most notably, against Lewis. Where, I think, he was literally ready to die if not for the doctor.

He also continued to carry on against Chisora with a bad shoulder. And he was past it against Del Boy.

Hes a tough man I agree. A hell of a lot tougher than me

Ha-ha! BTW, is Jeff Lacy TKO just a nickname or are you really Jeff Lacy?) Back in early 2010's, I had a chance to speak to Jeff Lacy on social media. In fact, we were friends on Facebook. Then, I guess he deleted the page.

And just overall, I met several boxers on different forums.

Not the fighter, i met him a long time ago and he was such a nice guy i made my handle this when i couldnt think of anything else!

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Hes a tough man I agree. A hell of a lot tougher than me

Ha-ha! BTW, is Jeff Lacy TKO just a nickname or are you really Jeff Lacy?) Back in early 2010's, I had a chance to speak to Jeff Lacy on social media. In fact, we were friends on Facebook. Then, I guess he deleted the page.

And just overall, I met several boxers on different forums.

Not the fighter, i met him a long time ago and he was such a nice guy i made my handle this when i couldnt think of anything else!

Got it! Yeah, from my experience of speaking with him on Facebook, he came across as a great guy as well.

[Ambling Alp II]

Vitali for me as well.....tough SOB and he could win a war with Joshua or just mess him about and pot shot him with hard jabs that take their toll. Maybe cuts a factor for him though?

Very tough, no quit in him.

He quit against byrd

You can't criticize him for that. What other fighter would have not quit and stood up to the power of Chris Byrd for three rounds?
Besides, he only quit in 50% of the meaningful fights of his career. And let's not forget, he somehow managed to last 6 rounds against Lewis. Amazing.

[oogiebe]

Poor matchup for AJ. Vitali mid to late stoppage.

[Ambling Alp II]

Vitali does it again. Once again, he beats a fighter in a mythical fight that was better than anyone he ever beat in real life. He always raises his game in these fights.

[margaret thatcher]

lol, the klits always sure to get responses

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Joshua has had trouble with quick fisted counterpunching. I dont see how vitali is some sort of lock here, his best win is... corrie sanders?

Sanders hurt him a few times in that fight.