First Vitali-interview after his surgery!

[RonnieHornschuh]

it was shown on the news on german channel rtl. vitali was shown walking through the hallway of the hospital in innsbruck (austria) looking very sad. he said that the surgery went very well and he feels like he can start training again tomorrow but the doctors told him not to. it was said that he will have to be in rehab for six weeks, then he could start training again.
so maybe then in early 2008, hopefully!

[Thread Stealer]

He should retire. His body is broken down.

I don't know why any promoter would take such a gamble anyway with promoting one of his fights.

Look at his last couple fights and how many times they got postponed and then cancelled.

Thankfully Peter's camp didn't take the step-aside money, so we get to see an important HW fight in Peter-Maskaev next month.

[Shpion]

He should retire. His body is broken down.

I don't know why any promoter would take such a gamble anyway with promoting one of his fights.

Look at his last couple fights and how many times they got postponed and then cancelled.

Thankfully Peter's camp didn't take the step-aside money, so we get to see an important HW fight in Peter-Maskaev next month.

Honestly, as much as I am Vitaly's fan I agree with you. Obviously even though he is in good shape, he cannot train on the highest level. It is a shame though.

[KayEpps]

Honestly, as much as I am Vitaly's fan I agree with you. Obviously even though he is in good shape, he cannot train on the highest level. It is a shame though.

I agree with you guys. He's a pretty good boxer - but he's fragile and the two year layoff isn't helping. It might be time to call it quits and let the dream of being a Heavyweight Champ at the same time as his brother go.

[bumdujour]

Vitaly should let it be. he had his time, but that is past now.

with a back like that i cant see him fighting in a pro ring again.

[Marnoff]

This is unfortunate, but certainly not unexpected.

[Max Molyneux]

Don't steroids cause these kind of Inuries?

I remember a pic of him retired next to Toney and Rahman and he was a skinny fooker only after about 6 months of being retired.

[Shpion]

Don't steroids cause these kind of Inuries?

I remember a pic of him retired next to Toney and Rahman and he was a skinny fooker only after about 6 months of being retired.

Valuev at 320 Lbs looks skinny next to two butter-balls Toney and Rahman.

[Thread Stealer]

Don't steroids cause these kind of Inuries?

I remember a pic of him retired next to Toney and Rahman and he was a skinny fooker only after about 6 months of being retired.

It could be from steroid use, it could just be from a long career of fighting in boxing (and kick-boxing).

Who knows really?

[Grabonator]

Valuev at 320 Lbs looks skinny next to two butter-balls Toney and Rahman.

Rahman is no butter ball.

[cross_trainer]

Interesting thought: If Vitali had managed to get the Maskaev fight, the same injury would have popped up--but everyone would have thought he was pulling out just to ruin Peter/Maskaev.

[Shpion]

Rahman is no butter ball.

You probably did not see his last fight, unless we have different perceptions about a butter-ball.

[The Kurgan]

It could be from steroid use, it could just be from a long career of fighting in boxing (and kick-boxing).

Who knows really?

It also should be noted that the human frame is not designed to be 6"8. It's not surprising that an athlete of that size would have so many injuries, especially when they box like a tree swaying in the wind.

[Heavyrighthand]

I may be alone, but I thinki he should give himself the 6 weeks to recoup, and get right back in there and go forward with training for his comeback.

And that seems to be what he plans on doing.

The injury is a common one, I read, so it may not be as bad as you all are making it out to be. A torn knee and a back injury does not mean his body is falling apart, which is a big overly dramatic, don't you think?

[Heavyrighthand]

On the Klit site, Vitali says he'll have to wait and see how it heals, then plan his next step.

His trainer, Fritz, says we'll see Vitali back in the ring after this temporary setback.

So it sounds as if he's not throwing in the towel, just yet. He will still go ahead the his comeback, but for some reason, I agree with ESPN,in that I also doubt that he'll fight McCline in his first fight back. Not sure why, but I think they'll fight someone else, or maybe jump right to the Peter Oleg winner.

[teetop]

On the Klit site, Vitali says he'll have to wait and see how it heals, then plan his next step.

His trainer, Fritz, says we'll see Vitali back in the ring after this temporary setback.

So it sounds as if he's not throwing in the towel, just yet. He will still go ahead the his comeback, but for some reason, I agree with ESPN,in that I also doubt that he'll fight McCline in his first fight back. Not sure why, but I think they'll fight someone else, or maybe jump right to the Peter Oleg winner.

I disagree about vit coming back. He's had 2 years since former chronic injuries forced him out to heal his body. The reason for this latest injury
is because he went into full training for a real fight, and his body broke
down. This wasn't a freak injury for vit. It's his body tellinmg him "no more" Vitaly was an undisputed ring mag hvy champ. He should just do like lennox and call it a career.

[Thread Stealer]

I may be alone, but I thinki he should give himself the 6 weeks to recoup, and get right back in there and go forward with training for his comeback.

And that seems to be what he plans on doing.

The injury is a common one, I read, so it may not be as bad as you all are making it out to be. A torn knee and a back injury does not mean his body is falling apart, which is a big overly dramatic, don't you think?

If it was just one injury, then that's another story.

But look at his last 2 scheduled fights. He postponed or cancelled the Rahman fight 3 or 4 times (I lost count) in a period of a few months.

After taking time off, he comes back, then gets injured AGAIN training for a fight.

Fighting for a living takes a toll on one's body. Not everyone can be like an Archie Moore and fight so often and for so long.

This seems more like a sign that his body is betraying him, as it did a couple years ago when he was supposed to fight Rahman.

[thesandman]

If I was a boxer or promoter, no way would I sign a fight with Vitlay right now.

Absolutely no chance of getting paid - and it leaves you unavailable to take on other, money earning fights.

Would you sit around earning nothing waiting and seeing if Vitlay recovered?

Only way anyone should sign a fight with him, is if there is some form of compensation payment if Vitlay has to back out again.