Chuck Liddell's Game Plan Compared to Other Champs

In response to some flack that I have caught in recent days concerning the article that I wrote last week about the Liddell/Evans fight, I would like to explain why I feel the way I do about certain big-name fighters such as Bernard Hopkins, Lennox Lewis, and, yes, Chuck Liddell.

I was quoted as saying that Chuck Liddell is mostly "one dimensional." Okay, maybe he is not so one dimensional considering his training. But he fights very much one style all the time.

Is it effective? Oh yes, in many consecutive fights.

Is it something that makes me want to come back and pay to see him again? Not exactly.

Let's compare him to a couple of boxers who have the same dilemma.

Bernard Hopkins

If you're talking about winning numbers, he's one of the best without a doubt. However, he's one of the worst if you are looking for all out action.

He holds, fights dirty, and even scampers to the crowd's constant disapproval. ZZZZZZZZ...

Lennox Lewis

He seemed to be brave enough against the fighters that he thought would not give him trouble. But against the giant Vitali Klitchko, even though he won, he knew, just like the rest of us, that if that fight would have continued, he was going down.

He won by cutting his opponent. Bravo.

The problem came when he had the chance to prove himself to all doubters in a rematch that I think he might have won. Instead? He retired.

Not to discredit the last big win of his career, but he, instead of going out a winner, might have gone out a winner with the exclamation mark to silence all naysayers forever. 

Chuck Liddell

I have much more respect for this guy than either of the aforementioned. Chuck would rather go out on a stretcher than be booed for running from an opponent.

But would you rather see Chuck stand in and get knocked out, or see him adapt his style to the one in front of him a tad better and reign a little longer as a complete fighter? We all know the answer.

All the technical training in the world doesn't make a bit of difference if a fighter is unwilling to use it in the ring.

Summary

Hopkins and Lewis: All skill and conditioning, not enough heart.

Liddell: All skill and heart, but too prideful to change.

Maybe his knockout loss to Rashad Evans will prompt Liddell to give us all what we want to see. A Chuck Liddell that can win even when plans "A" and "B" fail. Changing up the game will give him a much better chance at beating the guy with the age and speed advantage.