Where do you rank Wladimir Klitschko among the great heavyweights?

[daggum]

I put him 6-10.

Bottom line is 60 career wins, 50 knockouts, and 18 career title defenses.

There are a select few HW's in the history of the sport to get to those numbers and those that did only accomplished it by hanging on too long and fighting bums in non title fights at the end of their careers (Holmes and Foreman)

We will probably never in our lifetimes see another HW champ get anywhere close to those cumulative numbers.

yes we will. wlad's first 4 defenses were against unranked jefferson, unranked shufford, ancient unranked botha, and ancient unranked mercer. you will never find 4 defenses in a row that crappy in any other era but in this new era of frauds you will see it a lot. i could see a guy going 20 defenses in a row without fighting anyone ranked. people will think he's great because of his "dominance"

[Ray Corso]

Wonder the ages of the folks who think Wlad is a top twenty fighter? The number one spot must be from a teenager!!! Pretty sad stuff. Ray.

[daggum]

I put him between the top 6-10 due to how long he's held the title.

so is chris john better than leonard and robinson? he held the title longer than them.

[Ray Corso]

Butterbean was 76-9 and went 10 rounds with a VERY old Larry Holmes. That was pretty good for the Beanman!

Its not how many wins you have its the caliber of competition you faced!
Ray.

[Joeyzagz]

ANYONE who posted top 26 or lower... especially under 50 or under 100-200

name me
Top 26-Top 50 who are better
anyone under that.. name me Top 50-Top 200 who are better

John L Sullivan
Jim Corbett
Bob Fitzsimmons
Jim Jeffries
Jack Johnson
Jess Willard
Jack Dempsey
Gene Tunney
Max Schmelling
Jack Sharkey
Max Baer
Jim Braddock
Joe Louis
Joe Walcott
Ezzard Charles
Rocky Marciano
Igemar Johonsosn
Floyd Patterson
Sonny Liston
Muhammad Ali
Joe Frazier
George Foreman
Larry Holmes
Mike tyson
Evander Holyfield
Buster Douglas
Lennox Lewis
Riddick Bowe


There is a valid Argument for ranking Wladimir outside the top 100 which I'll get into shorty. But the 29 or so fighters I listed have these things in common:

1. UNDISPUTED world Heavyweight Champion
2. Victory over a another great champion on the list.
3. Did not need a 6'7 bodyguard to help their careers.

Wladimir wouldve been knocked out of boxing if it wasnt for his 6'7 brother. Imagine if Wlad had to face Lennox right after being KOd by Sanders? It would be sanctioned slaughter and his career would be over.

What Vitali does is water down competition. So instead of Wlad facing (#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10) Wlad will face the much easier schedule of (#2, #4, #6, #8 #10 #12 #14 #16 #18 #20) while Vitali fights the odd numbers (#3-#21) Both are exempt from facing #1.

Its an advanced scheme that reduces wear and tear on both brothers and produces fantastic results. As individuals they are outside the top 20, combined they are top 5 ATG.