Klitschko vs. Hayes at 4:45 PM ET on HBO. (Free)

[IMHopeful]

Unfortunately...this type of analysis and appreciation for boxing has all been killed thanks to the emergence of MMA.

That's just so true. I was a huge fan for 10 years, then MMA gained traction and I slowly lost interest.

The sad thing is that guys like me, who appreciate the science, come back once in a while... and are forced to watch a spectacle like that stupid fight. The brothers have all but ruined the heavyweight division with their boring fight styles and dominance over smaller opponents. Yeah, they knock opponents out, but they're still boring as fuck in the lead up.

 

[JMan1234]

That's just so true. I was a huge fan for 10 years, then MMA gained traction and I slowly lost interest.

The sad thing is that guys like me, who appreciate the science, come back once in a while... and are forced to watch a spectacle like that stupid fight. The brothers have all but ruined the heavyweight division with their boring fight styles and dominance over smaller opponents. Yeah, they knock opponents out, but they're still boring as fuck in the lead up.

You can't say you "appreciate the science", and then go on to call it a "stupid fight". You either appreciate the science, AND enjoyed the fight, or you don't appreciate the science.

"The Brothers" Wladimir and Vitali are a combined 98-5, and haven't lost a fight in a combined 15-years! They also hold ALL of the Heavyweight titles now. That's an amazing accomplishment.

 

[IMHopeful]

You can't say you "appreciate the science", and then go on to call it a "stupid fight". You either appreciate the science, AND enjoyed the fight, or you don't appreciate the science.

"The Brothers" Wladimir and Vitali are a combined 98-5, and haven't lost a fight in a combined 15-years! They also hold ALL of the Heavyweight titles now. That's an amazing accomplishment.

They're definitely over-achievers.

The fact is: The brothers are so dominant that nobody can touch them. They both have a predictable style, but with a reach that keeps all their opponents at bay... thus being untouchable, in a boring way.

Fighters are afraid to take chances with them and the Klitschkos just lay back and jab with an occaisional power punch. I appreciate their dominance, they just don't make for exciting fights. For the most part, it's the same fight every time.

 

[JMan1234]

They're definitely over-achievers.

The fact is: The brothers are so dominant that nobody can touch them. They both have a predictable style, but with a reach that keeps all their opponents at bay... thus being untouchable, in a boring way.

Fighters are afraid to take chances with them and the Klitschkos just lay back and jab with an occaisional power punch. I appreciate their dominance, they just don't make for exciting fights. For the most part, it's the same fight every time.

I don't think you're giving them enough credit with the statement about their reach, implying that they are as good as they are because of their size.

That's simply not the case. There are plenty of guys as big, and bigger, than the Klitschko brothers, who aren't very good, or have already been beaten by Wlad or Vitali. Such as, Valuev, McCline, Jefferson, Grant, Thompson, Fields, Bostice, Austin, etc...

Size alone, or a long reach (Valuev is around 85 inches, Grant is 86 inches) without the skill to back it up means nothing. When you say they just "lay back"...that's not the case at all, watch the anticipation, the foot work, etc... it's all there, they aren't just "laying back".

 

[dreamache]

Vitali is actually a lot more exciting fighter than Wlad.. I remember the fight against lennox luis, he would have won if it weren't for that TKO via cut over the eye.

But I do agree with JMan, Wlad is not exciting at all to watch when you compare him with someone like Mike Tyson. They have a PhD, and they fight like they have one too. There's very rarely that killer instinct and "all out" exciting shit that your average viewer likes to see. But they obviously don't give a fuck, they'll win how they want and they're smart for doing so.. they're just not going to have a massive following / prefight excitement.