Vitali Klitschiko vs Kirk Johnson

[earl6125]

Jim:

Guess you will be doing some last minute tweaking to the subject fighters before the release of the game Monday, huh? Will you be watching this fight on Saturday, or others out there.

If I recall Vitali gave Lennox a run for him money. Wonder Jim, how fairly you will rate Vitali and Kirk Johnson who I no nothing about.

Good Luck!!

Did you hear that Johnson weighed in at 260!!!!

Johnson is way, way too heavy. Vitali will knock him out easily.

[BrocktonBlockBuster]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Johnson wins. I don't know what he's thinking about weighing in at 260 though? lol

[NervousXtian]

Both goes are enigmas still. Klitch went a long way in answering questions against Lewis, but there is still many many questionmarks about his skills against top competition.

On the other hand you have Johnson who looks stellar at times, but then self distructs against Ruiz in the biggest fight of his life.

The weight can't be viewed as a good thing, unless he is trying to just go toe to toe with Vitily, which I think is a bad bad bad idea.

[Mr Big]

I'm knocking my prediction down from TKO 8 to TKO 7 in favor of Klitschko. The major factors being Johnsons' weight and the fact that Arthur Mercante Jr. has now been chosen to officiate the bout. He is a good, solid referee who doesn't let fighters take any unnecessary punishment. This fight has major implications in the heavyweight title picture. Can't wait until tomorrow night!

The big fights are over, and what have we learned about the combatants?

For one thing, it's clear that Vitali is the class of the heavyweight division, after Lennox. His dismantling of Kirkt Johnson seemed effortless. Another thing is that Kirk Johnson cannot fight when he's way overweight!!! Kirk is good at 230. Kirk can't fight at 260. Kirk, if you don't have the self-discipline to fight at a decent weight, you ought to retire, as you ain't going to win any big fights at 260, that's for sure.

Finally, we learned that Joe Mesi is not now and will probably never be a world class fighter. He had Barrett hurt early, but couldn't put him away. Then he ran out of gas and was almost KO'd himself. I hope that Mesi never faces either of the Klits - they'd punch his head off.

[Mr Big]

Couldn't agree more! I've said it before, and I'll say it again; the Klitschkos are the cream of the current heavyweight crop. Ask Kirk Johnson how good Vitali is. WHO'S NEXT?!!!

[swampdragon]

Now we know why they're bringing Mesi along so slowly. They're going to have to stay at the Monte Barrett level for a few fights, unless a 260 lb. Kirk Johnson is available. Mesi is not yet ready for prime time. Klitschko looked awesome, but you wonder if that's a reflection on him or on Johnson, who was fat and truly dreadful.

[Mr Big]

Even if Johnson is in shape, he doesn't go the distance. Klitschko simply has too much power. Weight had very little to do with Kirks' inability to deal with Vitalis' punches. Lennox doesn't want any of what he saw tonight.

[BrocktonBlockBuster]

I must admit-I haven't seen much of the Klitscko brothers. I hope to be seeing more of them in the future. Now when you guys say the Klitsckos are POWERFUL. Just exactly how powerful are we talking? Foreman,Tyson,Marciano,Louis,Shavers?

[Teraxx]

Johnson fought exactly the OPPOSITE of how he needed to tonight...what a joke. He stands and trades and also gets trapped in the corner. That was one of the most unintelligent in-ring strategies I've seen in a long time.

Originally posted by Teraxx
Johnson fought exactly the OPPOSITE of how he needed to tonight...what a joke. He stands and trades and also gets trapped in the corner. That was one of the most unintelligent in-ring strategies I've seen in a long time.

Since Kirk was horribly out of shape, I'm sure he knew he didn't have the stamina to go more than a few rounds. He probably thought the only chance he had was to land a lucky punch in the first couple of rounds, like Corrie Sanders did with Wladamir.

It didn't work with Vitali.

[vistaman44]

Combine the bad strategy with being heavy, slow and "sluggish" ... What was Johnson thinking? In a bout that was one of the most important of his career, how could he come in at 260, then stand and trade with a bomber? Some people just amaze me!

[Cap]

I didn't see the fights. When I heard Kirk Johnson weighed in at 260 pounds I was disgusted. He threw away his one advantage, mobility, because he probably thought the extra weight would add to his power.

I would be interested to know what advice the Duvas gave between rounds. Johnson had seen Klitschko on video, he should've copied Ali, and boxed, boxed, boxed!

Oh, well. Wadda ya goin' ta do? Most heavyweights are head-cases.

Cap

[swampdragon]

If Jim is monitoring this, I'm curious as to how he adjusts the 4 fighters ratings based on last night's performances. That would be a fun exercise. Here's my take:
1. Barrett needs no adjustment. He's a known quantity who gave his usual professional, one notch below contender status performance. It wasn't good enough, but it didn't miss by much.
2. Decrease Mesi's HP by 1 and lower his killer instinct rating. He did show some defensive skills after he was hurt, and I thought he won the last round, so you might tweak his endurance upwards. We've overestimated his power due to his weak competition.
3. Bump up Vitaly's killer instinct. He never hesitated last night. Once he figured out Johnson was no danger to him, he took him out without any delay. Right now his HP should be the best in the division, athough a couple of points below the alltime greats Brockton listed. He could be a poor man's Foreman. I don't know where Jim has his CF rating, but it should probably be about 10.
4. Johnson is a good example of the reason TBCB has a fight preparation rating. I would hammer that rating, decrease his chin vs. KO, and might actually leave him alone otherwise.

I would be interested in how the rest of you would handle the ratings adjustments.

[vistaman44]

I agree with Swampdragon's assessment of the Mesi-Barrett bout, too, although I thought Mesi won the first six rounds and lost the last four. After he was knocked down he seemed to tire significantly, though you have to give him credit for going 10 for the first time against a better quality opponent than most of his earlier bouts.

[Grey Johnson]

I didn't ge to see Mesi-Barrett, but it sounds like I missed a decent heavyweight fight. I have to give Mesi credit though, because Barrett was no pushover on paper or from a skills standpoint.

I got home during the middle of round one of Klitschko-Johnson, and was surprised to see how quickly Vitali was coming right at Johnson. The fact that Kirk wasn't offering anything back at Vitali was his own downfall. Klitschko was able to gain confidence and take risks, and really swarmed over him to get the stoppage. Kirk never had a chance, and the fact he got traning tips for the Pillsbury Doughboy didn't help either.

[bigtrouble77]

Those are some great observations swamp...

I think Vitali is, without a doubt, the cream of the crop right now. One of his great advantages, aside from his height, is that he comes in properly conditioned for tough fights. When you have a good chin and devestating knockout power there's no need to put on an extra 30lbs of power. As a result, he quick and mobile for such a huge guy.

Johnson looked like a turtle. I don't think his weight had anything to do with his loss, tho. He was just out classed.

-BT

[earl6125]

Hey guys...last big fight before the release of the game..what do you think Jim and Tom adjustments are going to be fore Vitali and Johnson's ratings.

Guess what I am saying what will there ratings be?

[Rasmuth]

I don't believe we can judge Mesi's future on just one fight...and he did indeed win...that's what really counts.

As for the Klitchko's being the cream of the heavyweight division...I agree....but as we've seen with Wladimir...you can't base the future on one fight....especially when your on the canvas down and out.

Basing an opinion of a fighter on just one fight is useless...all fighters have disappointing outings and bouts where they seem less than stellar...just like we all have good and bad days.