BoxRec

Coco wrote:

oliverfennell wrote:I wonder how much commentary played a part in the generally negative opinions of Wlad-Thompson. I might be completely off the mark here, but would I be right to assume the commentary was negative/critical? I have heard Bunce was, at least.

My point is I watched this fight in a bar which played music rather than TV sound, and I thought it was a thoroughly decent performance by Wlad (I'm not a Klitschko fanboy, by the way; I was rooting for Thompson). No, he's never going to set pulses racing, but as somebody said, people often equate excitement with talent (and lack of excitement with lack of talent), which is not necessarily true or fair.

Thompson IS a good fighter, and his record bears this out. He made an excellent start and had the right gameplan, fast and aggressive and hitting Wlad in the clinches. Wlad looked uncomfortable against a man who could almost match him for height and reach. but Thompson tasted Wlad's power in the second and went into his shell a bit, but he - and we - were probably expecting Wlad to tire later. He didn't - he finished strong. He was also a damn sight more aggressive than in some recent fights (he actually threw a right hand in the first round!). So, his strategy was spot on, his stamina was improved, and he dealt with a highly-ranked contender in conclusive fashion. What more do you want?

Perhaps Thompson could have made more of a fist of it, considering what he did in round one worked very well, but then those who are questioning his resolve weren't getting rammed in the face repeatedly by 86-inch-long Terminator-like pistons of sinew.

That may well be true. Klit does what he does and does it pretty well, but he doesn't really have a plan B and looks one dimensianal.
On the other hand Thompson did have little head movement, and his resolve was certaintly broken by the Russian, leaving him to quit.
I think Klit is being judged at a higher level, he has won quite conclusively against the available contenders, but it is felt he is not in Lennox Lewis's class and perenial old time contenders like Tubbs, Dokes, Bonecrusher, Witherspoon etc would prob beat him too.
I actually agree with this and Bunce is right in saying that the contenders coming out of the U.S are relatively sub standard. However Bunce is very colourful in his speech, quite entertaining actually, but was prob a bit over the top(as usual) in driving his point home

hitman_hatton1 wrote:knows not to come out to fast and shoot his load.

Terry D wrote:Nothing to do with commentary, Wlad is poor. History will attest to it, people will gain a little perspective when looking back on WK.

oliverfennell wrote:

Terry D wrote:Nothing to do with commentary, Wlad is poor. History will attest to it, people will gain a little perspective when looking back on WK.

You'll miss him when he's gone. Hard as it is to imagine now, remember people used to make sport out of bitching about Lennox.

Without Wlad, what is there? He's the only constant in the division.

Terry D wrote:Nothing to do with commentary, Wlad is poor. History will attest to it, people will gain a little perspective when looking back on WK.

oliverfennell wrote:

Terry D wrote:Nothing to do with commentary, Wlad is poor. History will attest to it, people will gain a little perspective when looking back on WK.

You'll miss him when he's gone. Hard as it is to imagine now, remember people used to make sport out of bitching about Lennox.

Without Wlad, what is there? He's the only constant in the division.