By Jake Donovan
There are two common takes on the state of the heavyweight division, both going hand in hand.
The Klitschko brothers have a strangehold on the division, and that heavyweight action in general these days has become boring and disinteresting.
Such remarks are not lost on Vitali Klitschko, who has barely lost a round in eight fights following his return to the ring in 2008 after a four-year absence. Arguably the most dominant titlist in heavyweight history, the 40-year old Klitschko continues to run through opponents to where he is on the verge of running out of options in search of a formidable challenge.
Last December’s heavyweight scrap between Robert Helenius and Dereck Chisora helped change that perception. The unbeaten Helenius was awarded a highly controversial split decision, though it was Chisora (15-2, 9KO) whose stock skyrocketed despite having suffered his second loss in the span of three fights.
Helenius blamed an injury suffered early in the fight for his poor performance, which was fine with the elder Klitschko since there was no intention of fighting the still rising contender anyway.
That Chisora was impressive in defeat worked out perfectly for Klitschko (43-2, 40KO), who will next defend against the Brit on February 18 in Munich. The matchup comes with a hint of ‘My brother’s keeper,’ as younger brother and lineal heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko was twice scheduled to face Chisora in an optional defense, only to withdraw due to injury on each occasion.
The elder Klitschko made light of that during Monday’s press conference in London to promote their upcoming fight.
“You’re lucky,” Klitschko joked in response to Chisora’s reference of Wladimir twice pulling out of scheduled fights. “Now you’re fighting the weaker and older brother. If you fight against Wladimir, it’s a bad, bad hand for you.”
Despite his advanced age, Klitschko is currently at his most dominant, having scored six knockouts dating back to his comeback fight against Samuel Peter in Oct. ’08 to begin his third tour as a heavyweight titlist. His two decision wins – versus previously unbeaten Kevin Johnson in Dec. ’09 and faded former lineal champ Shannon Briggs in Oct. ’10 – were both virtual shutouts, and his knockout losses all completely one-sided.
Wladimir Klitschko has been equally as dominant dating back to his title win over Chris Byrd in 2006. As a result, they have been stuck with the ‘boring’ label, due to the uncompetitive nature of their fights, and their refusal to fight any other way than with what has always worked.
Vitali hopes that next month’s fight will change that perception as he himself welcomes the challenge.
“People say we are boring. Well it’s boring because we keep winning,” notes Klitschko. “We need the challenge. We need to fight the strongest guy.
“I was very surprised in his last fight against Helenius. Chisora won that fight. Everyone said Helenius is the next world champion – the guy beat the champion. Can Dereck Chisora beat the real heavyweight champion in the next fight is the question.”
That answer will come on February 18, one he’s treating as if it could be his last fight. It’s not a retirement speech, but more so recognizing what can go wrong if he’s not fully prepared.
“Every fight can be the last fight. I prepare for every fight like it’s the last fight. Nobody knows when it will be the last one. Only one person knows (points to the sky). All I can do is take it step by step, Without that step on February 18th I can’t explain (what comes next).”
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com