Vitali v Kevin Johnson ?

[mcvey]

Its projected that Vitali Klitschko's next challenger will be Kevin Johnson ,the undefeated, but untested American.
I will make a prediction now,based on what I have seen of Johnson.
Vitali by tko inside 10rds
Johnson has average power at best ,fights flat footed, throws pretty slow punches and keeps his left glove down by his knee.
His best win is over a washed up Bruce Seldon.
He should be a sucker for Vitali 's long right crosses.
Is this really the best challenger they can come up with?

[janitor]

Since he can easily beat Joe Louis, he dosn't need to fight dangerous challengers.

[ChrisPontius]

Is this really the best challenger they can come up with?

Probably not, but he's fought Peter (top5), Gomez(top5) and Arreola(top5) over the last year. Most champions take an easy defense after one top5 opponent; he took 3 and within a years time. He deserved an easy defence, and i like that he's staying active despite being 38 years of age and injury prone.

I agree with your analysis of the fight. Johnson has good technical skills, but lacks top-end power and stays in the pocket a bit too much. His recent win over Vargas(17-0) was pretty good, but nothing suggested he could beat the Vital of the Arreola fight.

[PowerPuncher]

Old but past prime contenders like Toney and Tua would be more interesting, who knows how good Johnson is though, havent see enough of him to pass judgement, he hasnt got a big punch but that isnt a necessity

[PowerPuncher]

Probably not, but he's fought Peter (top5), Gomez(top5) and Arreola(top5) over the last year. Most champions take an easy defense after one top5 opponent; he took 3 and within a years time. He deserved an easy defence, and i like that he's staying active despite being 38 years of age and injury prone.

I agree with your analysis of the fight. Johnson has good technical skills, but lacks top-end power and stays in the pocket a bit too much. His recent win over Vargas(17-0) was pretty good, but nothing suggested he could beat the Vital of the Arreola fight.

Good but I wouldnt say Top 5, with Vitali himself, Wlad, Haye, Povetkin, Chagaev, Chambers around

[PowerPuncher]

Johnson has average power at best ,fights flat footed, throws pretty slow punches and keeps his left glove down by his knee.
He should be a sucker for Vitali 's long right crosses.?

OK just watched Kevin Johnson-Vargas, while Vargas was no great shakes Johnson certainly has a nice fast jab and counter right, decent slipping/parrying ability. What are you talking about slow hands? For a 240lb HW he has very good handspeed. He has his left hand low because he fights out of a half guard and looks to shoulder roll thinking hes Floyd Mayweather, in fairness he has decent defense and rolls and counters well enough, so I don't see why you say he looks a sucker for the right cross. He looks stong, in shape in his prime, obviously untested so we'll have to see how good he is in this 1, I have no idea if he'll shock the world or get taken out early to be honest

[Muchmoore]

Probably not, but he's fought Peter (top5), Gomez(top5) and Arreola(top5)

No way were Gomez or Arreola top 5 fighters. Maybe by the WBC rankings, but not in the mind of anyone not paid off.

[Mendoza]

Its projected that Vitali Klitschko's next challenger will be Kevin Johnson ,the undefeated, but untested American.
I will make a prediction now,based on what I have seen of Johnson.
Vitali by tko inside 10rds
Johnson has average power at best ,fights flat footed, throws pretty slow punches and keeps his left glove down by his knee.
His best win is over a washed up Bruce Seldon.
He should be a sucker for Vitali 's long right crosses.
Is this really the best challenger they can come up with?

Haye bolted from a fight with Vitali. Vitlai just fought. I see nothing wrong with facing an undefeated fighter on in less than 4 months from his last fight. Who else could Vitali fight that will accept the challenge?

It seems fighters are wanting in on the WBA shell game.

Johnson is un-defeated, has size, very quick hands and can box. He isn't a big puncher. I have no idea why you think Kevin Johnson throws pretty slow punches.

This is not a bad pick considering what out there. Most 38+ year old champs flat out avoid seeking fights with much younger and faster challengers.

[Russell]

Don't think theres much average that Johnson has less then average power. He seemed to want to punish Vargas, actually.

[MRBILL]

Devin Vargas is NOT the kind of oppoent you need to prepare for V.K. in Dec.......... Is Johnson biting off more than he can chew? YES!!

MR.BILL

[Boilermaker]

Probably not, but he's fought Peter (top5), Gomez(top5) and Arreola(top5) over the last year. Most champions take an easy defense after one top5 opponent; he took 3 and within a years time. He deserved an easy defence, and i like that he's staying active despite being 38 years of age and injury prone.

I agree with your analysis of the fight. Johnson has good technical skills, but lacks top-end power and stays in the pocket a bit too much. His recent win over Vargas(17-0) was pretty good, but nothing suggested he could beat the Vital of the Arreola fight.

chris, i dont understand how you can describe good technical skills when his defence by consensus seems to consist of a low front hand and (half guard). Surely this is lacking in the most basic and fundamental technical skill of keeping your hands up at all times?

[jdroy1986]

I really think that if Vitali fights like he did in the Arreola fight that Johnson has no chance to win.

[Bummy Davis]

Johnson has a winners attitude and will be up for the fight. He has decent speed and movement and some power....Vitali stop in 8-9 rds

[ChrisPontius]

chris, i dont understand how you can describe good technical skills when his defence by consensus seems to consist of a low front hand and (half guard). Surely this is lacking in the most basic and fundamental technical skill of keeping your hands up at all times?

What are you talking about? He keeps a high guard plenty of times, throws most of his shots technically correct and generally makes few mistakes for a HW. Half guard is by design, not by mistake, unless you think Mayweather is technically lacking.

No way were Gomez or Arreola top 5 fighters. Maybe by the WBC rankings, but not in the mind of anyone not paid off.

Good but I wouldnt say Top 5, with Vitali himself, Wlad, Haye, Povetkin, Chagaev, Chambers around

It's splitting hairs at some point, but Chagaev just lost, Chambers didn't have his impression run yet back then (Peter&Gomez) and Povetkin hasn't done anything in the last two years. Haye is the CW champion, but didn't do much at HW yet, either. For the record, i do think these men are better than Arreola, Peter or Gomez, but they don't haven't done that much more to clearly be ranked over them.

[mcvey]

Probably not, but he's fought Peter (top5), Gomez(top5) and Arreola(top5) over the last year. Most champions take an easy defense after one top5 opponent; he took 3 and within a years time. He deserved an easy defence, and i like that he's staying active despite being 38 years of age and injury prone.

I agree with your analysis of the fight. Johnson has good technical skills, but lacks top-end power and stays in the pocket a bit too much. His recent win over Vargas(17-0) was pretty good, but nothing suggested he could beat the Vital of the Arreola fight.

I would agree with you ,but for the fact that Arreola was crap ,and Gomez a past it cruiserweight .
Top 5? What does that mean in a pool of mud?
The division really is in a terrible way at the moment ,as I have been saying for the last 3 years.Iv'e got a lot of flak for my post ,lets see what the outcome of the fight is.
By the way I am picking Haye by decision.

[Mendoza]

I would agree with you ,but for the fact that Arreola was crap ,and Gomez a past it cruiserweight .
Top 5? What does that mean in a pool of mud?
The division really is in a terrible way at the moment ,as I have been saying for the last 3 years.Iv'e got a lot of flak for my post ,lets see what the outcome of the fight is.
By the way I am picking Haye by decision.

Why is Gomez past it? He defeated ring magazine ranked Virchis, and beat Oliver McCall. McCall has been on a roll as of late, and Virchis returned to the ring and won his first comeback fight. Outside of getting caught flush early, Gomez looks like he still has it. If Gomez looses his next fight, then you can say he's past it.

I would not say Arreola is crap. He's a young fighter and is looking for a name opponent in his next outing.

I still can not get over the fact that after watching Kevin Johnson you think he's a slow puncher.

As for the division, what it needs is the right match ups. Povetkin, Peter, Chambers, Haye and Valuev need to fight each other. The Valuev vs. Haye fight is intriguing. I'm picking Valuev to win for two reasons. 1 ) Haye has a shaky chin and questionable stamina. 2 ) The fight is in Germany, and Haye is going to need to win 8 of 12 rounds to avoid a robbery. Translation, Haye can not afford to make it a close boxing match. Valuev should catch up to Haye at some point in the fight.

Chagaev plans to come back. Perhaps he will get the winner. The IBF is planning their tournament. Solis, Maskeav, and a few others are in it.

Bottom line is the division has some guys who deserve to be ranked.I think part of the problem here is the Klitschko's win too easily, and this makes the division look worse than it really is.

[mcvey]

Why is Gomez past it? He defeated ring magazine ranked Virchis, and beat Oliver McCall. McCall has been on a roll as of late, and Virchis returned to the ring and won his first comeback fight. Outside of getting caught flush early, Gomez looks like he still has it. If Gomez looses his next fight, then you can say he's past it.

I would not say Arreola is crap. He's a young fighter and is looking for a name opponent in his next outing.

I still can not get over the fact that after watching Kevin Johnson you think he's a slow puncher.

As for the division, what it needs is the right match ups. Povetkin, Peter, Chambers, Haye and Valuev need to fight each other. The Valuev vs. Haye fight is intriguing. I'm picking Valuev to win for two reasons. 1 ) Haye has a shaky chin and questionable stamina. 2 ) The fight is in Germany, and Haye is going to need to win 8 of 12 rounds to avoid a robbery. Translation, Haye can not afford to make it a close boxing match. Valuev should catch up to Haye at some point in the fight.

Chagaev plans to come back. Perhaps he will get the winner. The IBF is planning their tournament. Solis, Maskeav, and a few others are in it.

Bottom line is the division has some guys who deserve to be ranked.I think part of the problem here is the Klitschko's win too easily, and this makes the division look worse than it really is.

Oh please, Gomez is a defensive minded ex cruiser,carrying 30lbs of flab,McCall is 44 years of age, the fact that he has modicum of success just illustrates how desperatedly dire the Heavyweight division is.
Arreola is a club fighter ,I said it before the fight ,and ,I picked the round of the stoppage.
If there was ANY quality in the heavyweight division, do you think Oleg Maskaev at 40 would still be talked about as a viable contender?
I said Johnson had pretty slow hands, that is a qualified statement is it not?

[bodhi]

I don´t know but I have the feeling Vitali will be ready to be beaten in the not too distant future. Who knows maybe it´s Johnson. Wouldn´t bet on it though.

Valuev - Haye, I also take Valuev. I don´t think Haye has the power to knock him out early and I don´t think he has the stamina to go the distance with Valuev. A points win would impress me much more than a early KO and would make a serious threat to the Klitschko reign.

[ramalinga]

I would say that Johnson easily beats everyone Haye has beaten. Fighters who go for the KO play in Vitali's hands, slicker boxers can avoid Vitali's punches for a while and make it more difficult for him. I certainly believe that Gomez was the harder fight for Vitali than Arreola. Who knows, Johnson might win more than one round.

[DamonD]

I wouldn't put a brass nickel on Johnson. If he wins I'll go out and buy a hat specifically just to eat it.

I put zero blame on Vitali for this fight, but Johnson simply doesn't have either the skills to outfox Vitali or the big power to possibly trouble him. His resume is paper-thin even in this day and age of weak rankings. Bruce Seldon is his best scalp, and even old Bruce managed to give him problems before his gas tank emptied.

Some rise to the occasion, but on evidence so far Johnson is undercooked.

[mcvey]

I wouldn't put a brass nickel on Johnson. If he wins I'll go out and buy a hat specifically just to eat it.

I put zero blame on Vitali for this fight, but Johnson simply doesn't have either the skills to outfox Vitali or the big power to possibly trouble him. His resume is paper-thin even in this day and age of weak rankings. Bruce Seldon is his best scalp, and even old Bruce managed to give him problems before his gas tank emptied.

Some rise to the occasion, but on evidence so far Johnson is undercooked.

And, in the current Ring Magazine , unranked.

[ChrisPontius]

I would agree with you ,but for the fact that Arreola was crap ,and Gomez a past it cruiserweight .
Top 5? What does that mean in a pool of mud?
The division really is in a terrible way at the moment ,as I have been saying for the last 3 years.Iv'e got a lot of flak for my post ,lets see what the outcome of the fight is.
By the way I am picking Haye by decision.

Arreola wasn't crap. Not great either, but he's a good contender who hits hard and goes for the kill. We'll see how he does in further outings, but he took a sick beating against VK (physically as well as mentally), so we'll have to see if he's still got it.

Gomez is a skilled Cuban who beat Tarver in the amateurs. Again, nothing great, but his shutout win over Virchis, a limited but tremendous hitter was very impressive and he shut out a very old McCall, too.

At any rate, i like that Vitali stays active and not by fighting a Scott Ledoux. Johnson is unranked, and rightfully so, but he could turn out to be quite good. We'll see. I thought Klitschko looked a bit unsure against Gomez during the early rounds, so maybe a somewhat similar boxer in Kevin can do more, with Vitali aging.


I'm going with Haye by decision, too.

[anarci]

when you look at the division right now,I think Arreola is still a major player and someone to be reckoned with after the Klitchkos are gone. Whatever it is you think he lacks he makes up for it with Good Power,THrows good combos,excellent chin and although hes about 20 lbs overweight his conditioning seems good. My guess is that hes gonna get it together and if he comes in around 235 he will be much improved.

[mcvey]

when you look at the division right now,I think Arreola is still a major player and someone to be reckoned with after the Klitchkos are gone. Whatever it is you think he lacks he makes up for it with Good Power,THrows good combos,excellent chin and although hes about 20 lbs overweight his conditioning seems good. My guess is that hes gonna get it together and if he comes in around 235 he will be much improved.
IF YOU ARE 20LBS OVERWEIGHT,HOW CAN YOUR CONDITIONING BE GOOD?:huh
ARREOLA IS STILL A CLUB FIGHTER ,WHO WAS WOEFULLY EXPOSED AS I KNEW HE WOULD BE,WHETHER HE CAN IMPROVE WE SHALL SEE. CERTAINLY HE DOES NOT LACK HEART ,BUT THAT WILL ONLY TAKE YOU SO FAR IF YOU LACK ABILITY ,EVEN IN SUCH A PITIFUL HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION.

[Unforgiven]

Klitschko should fight Klitschko.

In other news, I think Haye knocks Valuev out. He's almost totally unproven but I still reckon he'll get it done.

[MRBILL]

Folks,

Due to different styles between "Arreola & Johnson," I totally expect a totally different style implored by Vitali Klitschko in Dec.......

Against Arreola, Klit played the role of the master boxer..... Against Kevin Johnson, I sense Klitschko will press more and look to walk his man down...... Johnson will be the back-peddler looking to jab and offset Klitschko next month.... However, it won't work very well for Johnson..... Johnson's power stinks and no way in hell is he stronger than V.K..... After 5 rds, Johnson will be boxing in "Survival" mode looking to last all 12.....

MR.BILL

[Mendoza]

And, in the current Ring Magazine , unranked.

Mcvey,

You're 0-2 in this thread. Kevin Johnson is Ring Magazine Ranked, and he most certainly has fast hands.

If I didn't know you any better, I'd think you have something against the sir name Johnson.