How to Defeat a Klitschko Part II – Wlad
Published Oct 29 2009 by: Nathan Nau | Follow us on Facebook & on Twitter
What Type of Fighter Can Defeat the Klitschko Brothers?
There is no question that the Klitschko Brothers are the two dominate fighters in a weak heavyweight era. In a two part series, Pro Boxing Fans identifies what type of fighter matches up well with the Klitschko’s and explores the technical side to devising a strategy for defeating each of the Ukrainian giants. (See part I: How to Beat a Klitschko: Vitali)
Wladimir Klitschko
Record: 53-3, 47 KOs
Height: 6’6 ½’’
Reach: 81’’
Notable Wins: Chris Byrd (twice), Samuel Peter, Calvin Brock, Lamon Brewster, Sultan Ibragimov, Hasim Rahman, Ruslan Chagaev
Fighting Style
The “hardcore” boxing fan would know as well as I do that Wladimir’s fighting style has morphed over the years, from a somewhat exciting style to the boring style equivalent to former champion Lennix Lewis. Why has this change occurred? Well, the fighting style shared by both fighters can be traced back to one man, Emanuel Steward. Under the tutelage of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, Klitschko has learned to use his unprecedented combination of size, speed and athleticism to develop a simple, but highly effective fighting style.
The 6’6 ½’’ 245lb heavyweight uses the top jab among the current heavyweights to control his opponents and set up thunderous straight-right hands and sneaky, but powerful left hook. “Foot speed… He can move in, explode, move out, move back in, explode, and I’ve never seen anyone that could…move in and out and be in perfect balance,” Emanuel Steward explained.
Again, similar to Lennox, Wladimir chooses to methodically break down his opponents while using underrated footwork and defensive skills to control ring generalship and stay away from the heavy hands of his challengers. Wladimir is able to use footwork to keep his opponents at the end of his powerful punches and mitigate the scoring opportunities of fighters when they press forward by using effective, but underrated side stepping techniques that Emanuel Steward also taught to his brother, Vitali, and Lennix Lewis.
Below is a break down of Wladimir’s strengths and weaknesses:
Strength: experience, ring generalship, jab, punching power and repertoire
Underestimated Strengths: footwork, technique
Weaknesses: Stamina, chin and exposed body
How to beat Wladimir Klitschko
The fight plan to defeat Wladimir Klitschko has already been discovered. To date, Klitschko has yet to prove that he can win a bout fighting outside of his comfort zone. Wladimir lives and dies by throwing a highly effective jab, powerful straight right and a sneaky left hook, all while conserving energy. If a fighter is going to defeat Wladimir, he will have to apply consistent pressure, pushing Wladimir back and he will need to have the power to score damaging blows when given the chance.
In order to consistently score against Wladimir, a fighter will need the technical skills to close the gap and the strength to stop Wladimir from side-stepping, clenching or pushing his opponents away. The aforementioned skill set could put a fighter within striking range to take advantage for Wladimir’s weakness of not being able to fight going backwards, his habit of dropping his hands and being open for a big punch, being taken out of his game plan and suspect conditioning.
Also, the champion has a glaring weakness of allowing his body to be exposed. To date, the only fighter that attacked the body was Calvin Brock, who was leading the fight on all score cards before being knocked out. Wladimir’s technical skills, power punching, impressive physical presence and methodical way of breaking down opponents is evident when comparing him to today’s top heavyweights; however, merely a big heart and punch could lead to a victory against the Ukrainian on any given Saturday night.
Below is a list of more commonly known fighters (new and old) and how they stack up against Wladimir. These lists are certainly up for debate, but keep in mind it is assumed that Wladimir is being compared to each fighter in their prime and the long-standing point that “styles make fights” comes into serious play:
Fighters that would defeat Wladimir:
Muhammad Ali, George Forman, Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, Evander Holyfield, Vitali Klitschko
Fighters that are even with Wladimir:
Larry Holmes, Lennox Lewis
Fighters that could upset Wladimir:
Floyd Patterson, Max Schmeling, David Haye
Do any of today's heavyweights have what it takes to follow the blueprint to topple Wlad? The next year or two will reveal whether the likes of Eddie Chambers or Alexander Povetkin has what it takes.
Image Credit: Pavel Terekhov
I enjoyed reading the articles detailing how to beat the Klitschko brothers.
However I strongly disagree with the section detailing boxers who you think would beat them.
Why is it so hard for boxing fans to admit that the great fighters from the past would not stand a chance at beating the new breed of monster heavyweights.
Honestly Muhammed Ali , Joe Louis , Joe Frazier and even George Foreman would be considered cruiserweights today.
All the speed and technique they had would count for squat against an opponent that knows exactly how to fight as the bigger man.
It is no coincidence that Lennox Lewis vs V Klitschko was an even contest – they were physically well matched.
Andrew, Excellent comment, it’s true that realisticaly boxers from the past would of had no chance against modern boxers, it’s like old and new cars.
Nobody could ,can and will beat Wladimir, Klitshchkos are the greatest foeever and ever
Ali?
Ali went 15 rounds with guys 50 pounds smaller than Wlad, he got klnocked down by a 190 pounder and had to cheat to win. To think that he could beat Wlad is to be in the grip of a myth. Ali had the size and reach advantage in almost all of his fights, and he works of a snappy jab and footwork, fluid combinations. But its not easy to jab against a taller, bigger man with a greater reach. Ali cannot reasonably win by stoppage given that he failed to stop much much smaller and worse opponents, so his hope is to win on points, which means getting past Wlad’s jab… I just don’t see it. Although Ali was a great competitor so it is of course possible.
True: no ever from history could beat Vitali and Wlad of today.
Frazier, Louis, etc. – GREAT fighters. GREAT champions. But you’ve got to be kidding. These guys – like most past heavyweight champs are just way too small to beat Wlad or Vitali. It’s amazing to me how many people still say that. The human animal is evolving. The athlete is evolving. If you take fighters or athletes from previous eras where size is controlled or not a factor, then it’s a different story. Yeah, Ray Robinson would beat todays middleweights. But in the heavyweight division, there’s just too much disparity in size. It’s like people saying Bill Russell was the greatest center of all time. His acheivements speak for themselves – 11 rings!!! But at 6’9″, he’d struggle with power forwards of today, let alone guys like Shaq. They always say you can’t compare athletes from different eras, and I basically agree with it. But when you try to match up former greats with todays, try to leave out the legendary and mythical part of the equation. Consider some of the fighters who were competetive in their respective eras. For instance, in Frazier’s absolute prime, he fought an absolute war with Jerry Quarry. It was Ring’s fight of the year. Quarry got stopped in the late rounds due to cuts. And Quarry could fight. But he was like 6′, and barely 200 lbs. Can you imagine him getting in the ring with Wlad? Nuff said.
What do I think it will take ????
1) A similarly sized boxer that approaches boxing as a 365 day a year job , because the Klitschko brothers do.
2) Excellent skill set combined with powerful punches
3) Someone that has excellent movement
4) The person has to be tough as nails and determined to win
I dont know if others agree , but I genuinely believe that Ike Ibeabuchi would have given them a hell of a fight.
it is not really possible to tell whether a fighter from the past would beat or lose to a fighter of today.
How many fights did Ali lose? was it 5? (not sure) marciano never lost as a pro,but very few ,if indeed any,rank him up there with Ali,frazier,Foreman etc.
So,just because ‘you’ are an Ali fan,does not mean your man would beat Vitali for instance.
Vitali does not get enough recognition.How many of the HW’s of the past dodges as many punches as he does.He has an akward style ,and as he said to David haye,many have promised to knock me out.
I simply cannot wait for the Vitali-Haye fight.If ever DH will fight Vitali.
personally I think DH will beat Wladimir,by knockout.And thats why I think he will opt for Wlad…maybe set his demands so high for a fight against Vitali that VK refuses and then Haye can retire without losing to VK.
LENNOX lEWIS ! your crap !