Well, seeing how Gladiator effectively *is* Pre-Crisis Superman, the power levels are not the determining factor, since they're basically the same.
I think this would go very much like Superman's first encounter with Lobo. What happened there was that Superman was so used to being the most powerful being around that Lobo caught him completely off guard when he turned out to be as strong and tough as Supes. Superman's fighting skill wasn't very impressive, since he could rely on his superstrength and superspeed (yes, along with all those other super-fill-in-the-blanks) to win the day for him without much effort.
Lobo, on the other hand, was a ruthless brawler and didn't hesitate in acting on his goal of beating the junk out of Supes (actually intending to kill him). Superman tried to turn it around, but he didn't come to realize that his method of fighting nice and holding back was going to cost him his life until it was too late. (Of course, he survived by tricking Lobo into thinking he was dead...)
Anyway, what carries this fight is the attitudes of the combatants. Generally speaking, Gladiator is the more combat-minded of the two. He was born and bred to be a warrior, to defend his queen and her empire. He lives to fight.
Superman can certainly step up when it's called for, but I don't think it would be soon enough. Gladiator would tear into him right from the start, and that would probably give him enough of an advantage to take Supes down.
another great thing about gladiator, which its usually is stated in all the comics he shows up in, is that whatever he put his mind up to he could do it. I cant see superman causing him any harm either, the guy took a nova blast without any injury and then he flew off afterwards. Im trying so hard to think of a way superman could win but if its gladiator at full confidence, superman is going to get slaughtered. Go to marvel directory. com and read his feats, his strength is immeasurable and he moves at the speed of light and he is a great hand to hand fighter, SINCE HE WAS trained from the time he was born.
Hmm, close call. If Glads is determined to do something he can. His power is literally willpower. If his will falters, Gladiator fails. If not and Kallark stays focussed on his task (and his opponent can not emit 'unspecified' radiation or pull knowledge of Gladiator's weakness out his ass ala Hulk), they're getting slapped up like dollar hoes in Detroit.
If Pre-Crisis Supes was attacking the Shi'ar Throneworld and attempted to 'sneeze' it away, Gladiator would beat him to death with his gloved hands before he could muster the breath to do it. 'Sneezing' away Glads [and I only bring up the sneeze because it's referred to so much as a display of Supes ridiculous power, and the magic sneezing powder that caused it is not at Superman's disposal as a weapon so I have no idea why it's always brought up] would be pointless because Gladiator can travel through hyperspace and surpass light speed, he'd be back punching Supes in the gut before Clark was done 'sneezing'. For all intents and purposes, Gladiator IS Pre-Crisis Supes, only he's supes if he he was a highly trained soldier and leader with a killer instinct and mohawk. Pre-Crisis Supes is a boyscout who never seemed to be evenly matched, and when he was or faced an opponent of equal to greater power (He-Man, Pre-Crisis Darkseid), he got either b*tch slapped or feared for his life (He-Man).
Basically, Gladiator would drop some serious blows on Supes and could drop the arrogant prick before he realized Gladiator was an exact replica of him with a mohawk, less weaknesses, and more speed.
Supes pre-crisis is incredibly powerful. Hes powerful on a universal, or perhaps even a multiversal level, whereas glads is only powerful on a galactic level
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the dude can reach the end of the universe in the matter of a second. he can sneeze a solar system. no way gladiator is winning plus he has super-ventriliquism.
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Gender: Male Location: Training for the Fanboy Olympics
the dude can reach the end of the universe in the matter of a second. he can sneeze a solar system. no way gladiator is winning plus he has super-ventriliquism.
__________________
I am creator of all the master of all things BS. Bow before my mighty form!