BoxRec

What version Wlad is better?

Depends on the type of opponent really. If he's in there with a dangerous puncher who could knock him out, you'd want the modern version of Wlad in there against him as he limits the possibility of being knocked out and jabs the guy until he's just a corpse standing in front of him before ever trying to stop him. It's not exciting, but it's effective.

If it's a guy like...Chris Byrd, Jean Marc Mormeck....the old Hasim Rahman that he fought...or just somebody that has a very, very limited chance...even a limited puncher's chance. Then it would be far more entertaining to see him go in there with the old school, more offensive minded style and take those guys out in much quicker fashion.

In early career Wlad i like his fights versus Axel,Jefferson,Botha,Mercer and Byrd.

He showed good boxing.

He was much more fun to watch back then, I guess he's better now. It's hard to say with the weak competition but he protects his chin more.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:He was much more fun to watch back then, I guess he's better now. It's hard to say with the weak competition but he protects his chin more.

Definitely. As far as entertainment goes, I think his most fun to watch fight was the first Lamon Brewster fight. That was pretty awesome.

I agree with what others have alluded to. He was more exciting back then, but in the strictest terms of when he was the most effective fighter, I'd say now.

Wlad's offensive mindset pre-Steward is extremely over-rated. Wlad was never an action fighter and always naturally cautious. His clinch-fest with Botha was atrocious, and his jab and starefest vs McCline was boring too. Yes compared to now he threw more left hooks and combinations (and more punches in general), but he was never a guy who took risks in there.