BEST ALL-TIME PRO FIGHTER FROM AN EX-SOVIET NATION

[conan_the_cribber]

Vitali was bigger, tougher, harder to hit than Wlad. He was just 5 years older and retired earlier to get into politics. If you have to choose one of the Klit brothers, then it was Vitali. You can make the argument, that Vitali lost less than 5 rounds of his pro boxing career, hell he won almost every minute of every round he fought.

Lomachenko will probably go down in history as the best ever, but he still has to have another 6 or 7 fights to establish that.

Honourable call out to Kostya Tszyu. p4p champ in difficult names to spell.

[conan_the_cribber]

Vitali was bigger, tougher, harder to hit than Wlad. He was just 5 years older and retired earlier to get into politics. If you have to choose one of the Klit brothers, then it was Vitali. You can make the argument, that Vitali lost less than 5 rounds of his pro boxing career, hell he won almost every minute of every round he fought.

Lomachenko will probably go down in history as the best ever, but he still has to have another 6 or 7 fights to establish that.

Honourable call out to Kostya Tszyu. p4p champ in difficult names to spell.

[DrDuke]

Vitali was bigger, tougher, harder to hit than Wlad. He was just 5 years older and retired earlier to get into politics. If you have to choose one of the Klit brothers, then it was Vitali. You can make the argument, that Vitali lost less than 5 rounds of his pro boxing career, hell he won almost every minute of every round he fought.

Vitali wasn't that advanced technically in comparison to Wlad. And after learning from Steward Wlad became harder to hit. Vitali actually had freakish chin, which helped him for a couple of times. Cause Sanders nailed him probably not worse, than Wlad, it was just Vitali's granite chin, what made the situation look different. And 90% of boxers would have been flattened after that Lewis uppercut. Furthermore Vitali's overall resume is significantly worse, than Wlad's one. It was Wlad, who defeated almost everyone of his era.

[jenko21]

Wlad is the easy pick, but do this poll in 5 years and I'd be changing my vote to Loma.

[conan_the_cribber]

Vitali wasn't that advanced technically in comparison to Wlad. And after learning from Steward Wlad became harder to hit. Vitali actually had freakish chin, which helped him for a couple of times. Cause Sanders nailed him probably not worse, than Wlad, it was just Vitali's granite chin, what made the situation look different. And 90% of boxers would have been flattened after that Lewis uppercut. Furthermore Vitali's overall resume is significantly worse, than Wlad's one. It was Wlad, who defeated almost everyone of his era.

I've always felt that Vitali was underestimated. "Yes" Wlad's list of opponents is a bit better. But style-wise, I see nothing between the two. Vitali was very illusive for a big man and would often lean in hands down, tempting his opponent to hit him, only to lean back out of range afterwards, and then counter. He also had a phenomenal punch output. I remember counting 80 punches in one round 12 once, ridiculous numbers for a heavyweight. As you state, he also had a granite chin.

I have no doubt who would've won in a fight between the brothers. Wlad had his horrible hit and hug technique, which would wear fighters down till he landed the bomb. Vitali on the other hand, just used to club people to death. He was fearless and ruthless, and thus, in my opinion, the much better fighter.

[Best Coast]

I've always felt that Vitali was underestimated. "Yes" Wlad's list of opponents is a bit better. But style-wise, I see nothing between the two. Vitali was very illusive for a big man and would often lean in hands down, tempting his opponent to hit him, only to lean back out of range afterwards, and then counter. He also had a phenomenal punch output. I remember counting 80 punches in one round 12 once, ridiculous numbers for a heavyweight. As you state, he also had a granite chin.

I have no doubt who would've won in a fight between the brothers. Wlad had his horrible hit and hug technique, which would wear fighters down till he landed the bomb. Vitali on the other hand, just used to club people to death. He was fearless and ruthless, and thus, in my opinion, the much better fighter.

I agree. Wlad got the hit & hug technique from trainer Manny Steward as a means of protecting his more vulnerable chin after it was exposed in his KO losses to lesser opponents. Vitali definitely had a better chin and was a better fighter. Steward helped extend Wlad's title reign by giving him the chin-friendly hit & hug strategy.

[jamamb]

ive always felt wlads change to hit and hug was more about stamina and avoiding punching himself out like he did vs purrity and brewster. he totally unloaded his shots in those fights