Vitali Klitschko vs. Frank Bruno

[Russell]

Lets say Bruno of the McCall fight. Nice mix of motivation, conditioning, and experience.

Thoughts?

[dabox]

i guess vitali but bruno's power gives him a shot

[Loewe]

i guess vitali but bruno's power gives him a shot

Well, i don´t think that Bruno could knock VK out. Vitali took everything Lennox threw at him without beeing hurt and Lennox hit harder than Bruno. What i could see is Bruno outboxing Vitali using his very good jab but gassing in the middle to late rounds and getting TKO/KOed. Wouldn´t be shocked if Bruno holds himself together and survives to get a tight UD.
But then Bruno was afraid of Tyson and Vit had a somewhat similar aura around him. Maybe Bruno would froze get knocked out earlier.
So, imo Vitali should be the favourite but Bruno would be a very live underdog.

[ChrisPontius]

I believe we had a discussion on this subject before with The Kurgan making a compelling argument for Bruno. Compelling as it was, i still like Vitali by TKO though. His pressure and power would get to the Brit sooner or later.

[Doppleganger]

I like Big Frank but sooner or later Vitaly stops him on his feet. I'm not sure that Lewis punches harder than Bruno (Bruno was a very big puncher with the right hand) but Vitaly took that monster uppercut from Lewis in round 6 and I can't see Bruno stopping Vitaly, who had an iron chin.

It might go a few rounds but I think the fight will be stopped in Vitaly's favour, with the referee cradling an exhausted and helpless Bruno in around the 9th or 10th round.

[Holmes' Jab]

I like Big Frank but sooner or later Vitaly stops him on his feet. I'm not sure that Lewis punches harder than Bruno (Bruno was a very big puncher with the right hand) but Vitaly took that monster uppercut from Lewis in round 6 and I can't see Bruno stopping Vitaly, who had an iron chin.

It might go a few rounds but I think the fight will be stopped in Vitaly's favour, with the referee cradling an exhausted and helpless Bruno in around the 9th or 10th round.


I agree for the most part. Whist Bruno had very respectable power, it was more one-punch jolting power with the right hand and jab. Lewis' technique was obviously superior and he could string much more meaningful combinations together, obviously he was a much better finisher too when he had his man hurt- whereas Bruno tended to give opponents too much respect in that regard. I've always said that Bruno had very good physicue, a stiff, effective jab and decent power but that aside he had many flaws.

Against Vitali, Bruno could definitely hold his own in a battle of the jabs, but as usual once he tastes big power his survival instincts were null n' void. The ref steps in to save big Frank here around the time you stated.



Ps: How are ya mate? I haven't noticed you a great deal on here recently, either that or I've missed your posts. Keepin' well?

[DamonD]

Hmm, maybe a bit like Vitali-Sanders?
Although Bruno's jab is a lot better.

[Doppleganger]

Ps: How are ya mate? I haven't noticed you a great deal on here recently, either that or I've missed your posts. Keepin' well?
I'm fine mate, cheers for asking. :good I've been away for a bit but I've been more active these past few days again. My avatar needs a make-over too. ;)

[fists of fury]

Bruno snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.

[mcvey]

Lets say Bruno of the McCall fight. Nice mix of motivation, conditioning, and experience.

Thoughts?
I like Vitali here ,I think he stops Bruno in the later rounds ,as the big Brit gasses out.

[PowerPuncher]

Why does everyone say Vitali's chin is great? He took a few powershots from Lennox, but this older Lennox didnt land as much as usual and didnt always put opponents out with 1 shot, plus Vitali was hanging on, so if it were a prime Lewis Vitali would have gone down and been put away from the follow up punches but this older Lewis wasnt putting combinations together as fluidly

Vitali was also doing a roadrunner act against Sanders after tasting the straight left until Sanders was gassed after 2 rounds

Just for the record Bruno was up on the scorecards against a prime Lewis when he was stopped too.

[DamonD]

If we're taking on the record, Bruno was actually only up on one of the scorecards and drawing the other two, so therefore it would've been a majority draw ;)

But, I know what you mean.

[natonic]

I'll take Vitali by mid to late stoppage for reasons listed several times above.

[J-Dog]

Vitali TKO...done deal

[SuzieQ49]

p

[mr. magoo]

Although I love Frank Bruno, and feel that he would definately be a force in today's era, I have to give the edge to VK. Vitali's chin, power and skill were for the most part proven. He had some durability issues when it came to things like cuts or mending old injuries, but this had little to do with his ability to take a punch from the best of them. Bruno was an incredible physical specimen with a big punch, great jab, servicable right, and loads of heart. The problem I see here, is that I can't imagine Frank overcoming a super heavyweight who was bigger, stronger and more durable than himself. Bruno would have his moments and make a great show of it, but in the end, I think he folds, in much the same way that he did against Smith and Witherspoon.

[Quickhands21]

Vitali Everytime.Bruno Could crack,but he would wilt by early round knockout.Vitali is too much for him

[zadfrak]

And I think stylewise, Bruno would have a tough time dealing with a guy that tall that was busy. Vitali moves those legs in there and Bruno would be at the end of punches while trying to get in position to land his own. And guys with those big overdeveloped shoulder muscles are the guys that drop their hands as the bout goes on. His defense will be tested enough as it is and dropping those arms and bringing punches back slower and slower is the wrong thing to do against this particular opponent.

[Muchmoore]

Although I love Frank Bruno, and feel that he would definately be a force in today's era, I have to give the edge to VK. Vitali's chin, power and skill were for the most part proven. He had some durability issues when it came to things like cuts or mending old injuries, but this had little to do with his ability to take a punch from the best of them. Bruno was an incredible physical specimen with a big punch, great jab, servicable right, and loads of heart. The problem I see here, is that I can't imagine Frank overcoming a super heavyweight who was bigger, stronger and more durable than himself. Bruno would have his moments and make a great show of it, but in the end, I think he folds, in much the same way that he did against Smith and Witherspoon.

:good

If Bruno had better stamina...

[Russell]

Does anyone think Bruno's jab might tear of Vitali's face?

Ray Mercer's jab had Wladimir's face a mess...

[Mendoza]

Lets say Bruno of the McCall fight. Nice mix of motivation, conditioning, and experience.

Thoughts?

Vitlai was bigger, stronger, more durable, had better stamina, and more confident. He would win.

[Mendoza]

Why does everyone say Vitali's chin is great? He took a few powershots from Lennox, but this older Lennox didnt land as much as usual and didnt always put opponents out with 1 shot, plus Vitali was hanging on, so if it were a prime Lewis Vitali would have gone down and been put away from the follow up punches but this older Lewis wasnt putting combinations together as fluidly

Vitali was also doing a roadrunner act against Sanders after tasting the straight left until Sanders was gassed after 2 rounds

Just for the record Bruno was up on the scorecards against a prime Lewis when he was stopped too.

Can you show me a fighter who took harder shots and recovered quicker than Vitlai did on film? Don't bother with McCall, Seldon had him stunned and nearly down ( see round 9 of their fight ) and Douglas if he pressed it could have TKO's McCall.

Vitlai's chin is great. He was never floored by a punch, yet he was tested be some bombs.

[Russell]

Vitlai was bigger, stronger, more durable, had better stamina, and more confident. He would win.

Yes, but both Wladimir and Vitali aren't exactly tough skinned.

We saw what a great jabber in Mercer did to Wladimir's face when he was well past 40 years old.

[Mendoza]

Yes, but both Wladimir and Vitali aren't exactly tough skinned.

We saw what a great jabber in Mercer did to Wladimir's face when he was well past 40 years old.

Vitali's first cut was vs Lewis. Cuts were never a problem for Vitali in any of his fights excpet hte Lewis fight. Vitlai has a better defense than Wlad does because he leans back and uses his legs more. He does not get hit often with jabs

Bruno barely had enough gas to beat McCall, and his stamina and confidence cost him more than once in losses. Picking Vitlai to win is easy.

[Russell]

Vitali blew almost everyone he ever fought out in two rounds. His 37 fight career consisted of a whopping 147 rounds.

He was never there to let himself be hit because of how and who he fought.

I'm not seeing the massive difference in skin between two twin brothers, especially considering Vitali DID suffer one of the most horrific cuts in recent HW memory in one of the only fights he was really tagged in.

Bruno's jab screwed up Lennox's face when they fought. How many people did you ever see do that to Lennox?

[Russell]

Also, Bruno's reach was ever greater than Lennox's or Vitali's.

83' inches.

[Mendoza]

Also, Bruno's reach was ever greater than Lennox's or Vitali's.

83' inches.

Lewis listed reach is 84". Bruno was a good heavy. A solid guy, but not among the top dog in the division. Durability, stamina, and confidence were things that prevented Bruno from achieving a top status.

In terms of reach from the pit of the shoulder to the fist, Vitlai was even longer than Lewis at 29.5”

[Mendoza]

Vitali blew almost everyone he ever fought out in two rounds. His 37 fight career consisted of a whopping 147 rounds.

He was never there to let himself be hit because of how and who he fought.

I'm not seeing the massive difference in skin between two twin brothers, especially considering Vitali DID suffer one of the most horrific cuts in recent HW memory in one of the only fights he was really tagged in.

Bruno's jab screwed up Lennox's face when they fought. How many people did you ever see do that to Lennox?

Vitlai did in fact cut Lewis on the bridge of the nose, and if truth is told, Lewis eyes were swelled up ( not to be confused with more cut ), more than Vitlai's were at the end of the fight.

The cut Vitlai had was due to a weird angle more than a solid shot. Theories as to why the cut was bad range from lose tape as reported by Punch stat. Lewis landing a scrapping razor type of shot above the eyebrow which can be seen on flim. And a meeting of heads wher ethe top of Lewis head rubed down on Vitali's eye region which can also be seen on flim.

Lewis only sported three swollen eyes in his career. Mercer, Bruno and Vitlai.

I have seen plenty of Bruno. Trust my judgment here. Bruno was a great British hope, but never a top dog like Lennox was.

At any rate, a cuts victory here is hightly unlikely.

[BOGART]

I agree with everyone else here that Vitaly stops Bruno late. Not much too add that hasn't already been pointed out. But I do think it would be a good fight.

[Muchmoore]

Can you show me a fighter who took harder shots and recovered quicker than Vitlai did on film?

Razor Ruddock. His chin wasn't as good as Vitali's but his recovery ability was nearly unmatched.

[GoldenHulk]

I think Danny Williams would beat Bruno, and we all saw what Vitali did to Williams.

[Muchmoore]

I think Danny Williams would beat Bruno, and we all saw what Vitali did to Williams.

Danny Williams sucked. Sorry to be so blunt, he had potential and heart but was pretty much a beached whale. Bruno would decapitate him.

[red cobra]

A beatdown, mid-rounds tko much like against Danny Williams for Vitali. Frank Bruno would have the stuffings beat out of him until the referee rescues him. Vitali would have him down near the end.

[PowerPuncher]

Can you show me a fighter who took harder shots and recovered quicker than Vitlai did on film? Don't bother with McCall, Seldon had him stunned and nearly down ( see round 9 of their fight ) and Douglas if he pressed it could have TKO's McCall.

Vitlai's chin is great. He was never floored by a punch, yet he was tested be some bombs.

Vitali's chin hasn't been tested against top opposition, the best top level fighters he fought were old and overweight. Vitali for years never went near the best contenders

I thought Sanders floored Vitali anyway, why do u call him Vitlai?

Again plenty of other fighters took punnishment from Lewis as well as Vitali did and some took more punnishment and stayed on their feet

Regardless Bruno has the power to do some serious damage to Vitali, he had McCall on very very shaky legs afterall and in an 80s PSI test scored higher than Foreman and Tyson

[Thread Stealer]

I can see Bruno giving Vitali problems with his jab, and then in the mid rounds, he gets caught with some shots and doesn't know when to take a knee or when to clinch, and gets stopped on his feet.

[stevebhoy87]

i'd fancy vitali by tko though i think bruno could beat wlad

[kinski]

Vitali TKO 6.