Heavyweights not getting Credit - why ?

[Tedkidlewis]

Wladimir was too busy getting knocked out during Lewis' reign.

[Foreign Soil]

Because HW's simply aren't that skilled for the most part, not today nor yesterday. The division has always been a bad one, even the "golden age" had a bunch of what you'd call "unskilled brawlers", but they came to fight at least. If anything, the HW's of old are overrated moreso than the HW's today not getting their credit. It's a division where "one punch changes the fight" has the greatest meaning due to lack of defense and added clubbing power. And the division has lacked that sort of one punch KO artist for a while, which is why it doesn't get the recognition. Lewis wasn't popular or given much credit either. He didn't inspire anyone with his performances, and that's been passed on to Wlad. All people still talk about is Tyson for the fights, and Ali for the showmanship.

[Elroy1]

Because HW's simply aren't that skilled for the most part, not today nor yesterday. The division has always been a bad one, even the "golden age" had a bunch of what you'd call "unskilled brawlers", but they came to fight at least. If anything, the HW's of old are overrated moreso than the HW's today not getting their credit. It's a division where "one punch changes the fight" has the greatest meaning due to lack of defense and added clubbing power. And the division has lacked that sort of one punch KO artist for a while, which is why it doesn't get the recognition. Lewis wasn't popular or given much credit either. He didn't inspire anyone with his performances, and that's been passed on to Wlad. All people still talk about is Tyson for the fights, and Ali for the showmanship.

This is actually a good post I agree with.

The HW division is necessarily always the most unskilled division. Because a HW boxer can be successful without having the total package.

I have to disagree with your point about not having 1 punch KO guys today though. Today ALL HW boxers are pretty much 1 punch KO guys. Especially Wilder etc, who'se entire career depends on 1 early punch.

[Foreign Soil]

Well if they're all KO punchers then you'd have to say most aren't very good at getting the KO, which is the point - they don't let it all hang out and go for broke. And if Wilder continues his KO streak once he steps up competition, then you can expect some hype. Haye is a very good puncher(so is Wlad), but again, he isn't really motivated to put on a show, and on the biggest stage against Wlad, they both fought not to lose, and that simply hurts them. It was the biggest HW fight in quite a while and a moment where a KO from either would've increased standing/interest/sensation/hype and they both just let the hype die in the ring that night.

[Elroy1]

Well if they're all KO punchers then you'd have to say most aren't very good at getting the KO, which is the point - they don't let it all hang out and go for broke. And if Wilder continues his KO streak once he steps up competition, then you can expect some hype. Haye is a very good puncher(so is Wlad), but again, he isn't really motivated to put on a show, and on the biggest stage against Wlad, they both fought not to lose, and that simply hurts them.

Again I agree with much of what you said. The HW's today are "tentative" about going for broke. This "characterises" HW boxing today.

In previous eras, HW boxers could exchange punches flat out with minimal regard for defence. Because the punches were bareable.

Guys like Louis, Ali, Frazier and Foreman could afford to be punching bags because for the most part because their opponents were weak.

Today, no HW WANTS to expose himself to that. And no HW SHOULD expose himself to that. Because the punches are now so hard that not only is the risk of getting KO'ed far higher and possibly determined by a single big shot, but the health implications are now even more detrimental. A HW boxer's career can be finished long before the accumulated effects of multiple punches appear, through the trauma sustained in even an individual fight.

It might make for more tentative and boring fights, but as the boxers get stronger, it's not going to get rougher, it's only going to get increasingly strategic.

[sensfulviolence]

Wlad is a HOFer, but mainly for longetivy and having HW on lockdown.

But his resume is lacking. Not entirely his fault, there just hasnt been much at HW.

And Im sorry, relative to the other weight classes, there are a lot of bums at HW. It seems like you can get by with a lack of skill at HW. And most HWs simply arent that busy during fights, lack of stamina etc.

Really Wlad has been able to thoroughly dominate HW for years with just the jab and grab style and the occasional straight right. I cant think of the last time he threw a memorable hook or any combination besides the ol' 1-2. I dont doubt Wlad can do it, he just hasnt had to.

Pulev seems a step above the other HWs. We may have wanted that from Povetkin too, but after an interesting first 2 rounds or so, where I thought he was at least challenging Wlad, Povetkin (and the ref) acquiesced to being jabbed and grabbed to an easy decision.

Im hoping Pulev brings more. But frankly, Id rather seek out links to flyweight fights from Japan than watch the HWs

[Foreign Soil]

Again I agree with much of what you said. The HW's today are "tentative" about going for broke. This "characterises" HW boxing today.

In previous eras, HW boxers could exchange punches flat out with minimal regard for defence. Because the punches were bareable.

Guys like Louis, Ali, Frazier and Foreman could afford to be punching bags because for the most part because their opponents were weak.

Today, no HW WANTS to expose himself to that. And no HW SHOULD expose himself to that. Because the punches are now so hard that not only is the risk of getting KO'ed far higher and possibly determined by a single big shot, but the health implications are now even more detrimental. A HW boxer's career can be finished long before the accumulated effects of multiple punches appear, through the trauma sustained in even an individual fight.

It might make for more tentative and boring fights, but as the boxers get stronger, it's not going to get rougher, it's only going to get increasingly strategic.

Fighters of the past took their damage... Frazier was pretty damaged, so was Ali. Wlad is simply safety first, so is Haye. Obviously no one should be forced to lay it on the line and risk long term effects, but you can't wonder why the HW's aren't as popular as they used to be either. People want to see KO's in the HW's. Toe-to-toe wars at HW are dangerous for sure, and rarely happen now, for good reason - Mago/Perez is a good example, but that's not really what's expected... just people expect overmatched opponents to be put to sleep quickly as opposed to long, drawn out mismatches. Wlad doesn't want to risk it, so be it...

[daggum]

wlad-povetkin
alex leapai is considered a good challenger
fatasses like solis are considered contenders

[LacedUp]

It is true what you say. If Vladimir had beat Lennox, nobody would be able to dispute his greatness. His longevity is what does it for him, instead. There are still good fights for him to boost further, Pulev is credible, for instance.

True if he had beaten Lewis, he would have undoubtedly gotten more credit.

Instead he got knocked out by Corrie Sanders....

[Elroy1]

Fighters of the past took their damage... Frazier was pretty damaged, so was Ali. Wlad is simply safety first, so is Haye. Obviously no one should be forced to lay it on the line and risk long term effects, but you can't wonder why the HW's aren't as popular as they used to be either. People want to see KO's in the HW's. Toe-to-toe wars at HW are dangerous for sure, and rarely happen now, for good reason - Mago/Perez is a good example, but that's not really what's expected... just people expect overmatched opponents to be put to sleep quickly as opposed to long, drawn out mismatches. Wlad doesn't want to risk it, so be it...

I totally sympathise with this opinion.

Contenders and champs viciously KO the undermenscen opponents.

But when it comes to top vs top, it's always going to be edgey now, and it is unfortunate. It'll become increasingly a game of chess.

Guys like Wilder who is exclusively a KO guy will still bring excitement, either because he KO's his opponent fast, or because when he gets matched against a better quality opponent who also hits very hard (like possibly Stiverne), he will get KO'ed.

Unfortunately, when someone like Wilder DOES get exposed, we probably wont see much more from him. Such is the way. This is what sucks about it all.